Plant · GBIF taxon 7952471
Arrow Bamboo
Pseudosasa japonicaAlso known as Japanese Arrow Bamboo, Metake, Yadake
Arrow bamboo forms dense, vigorous evergreen thickets of stiffly upright culms clad in long, glossy, palm-like foliage. Historically harvested by Japanese samurai to craft durable, straight arrow shafts, it spreads by persistent underground rhizomes that stabilize moist soils along forest margins and ravines. Unlike many delicate bamboos, it thrives in shaded woodlands, tolerates strong coastal winds, and survives hard winter frosts with minimal leaf burn.
EvergreenOrnamentalBamboo
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Sika Deer
- Wild Boar
- Bamboo Aphid
ThreatsHabitat clearance in wild areas; managed as an aggressive spreader elsewhere
HabitatsTemperate forests, coastal thickets, stream banks, urban gardens
Life spanIndefinite via clonal rhizomes; individual culms live 5–10 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPoaceae
- SpeciesPseudosasa japonica
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Culm Inspection: Look for persistent papery sheaths clinging tightly to older canes, a hallmark trait.
- Garden Containment: Install deep root barriers if cultivating, as rhizomes spread aggressively into surrounding turf.
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