| English Name | Shiuying Bamboo |
|---|---|
| Status in China | Vulnerable (VU) |
Description:
Medium-sized running bamboos. Culms 4-6 m tall, 1-2 cm in diameter; internodes 22-38 cm long, frequently with purple spots when young, covered with a ring of white powder below each node. Branches usually 3 in the nodes of mid-culms, the primary one usually thicker. Culm leaves deciduous; sheaths subglabrous or sparsely covered with pale brown bristly hairs abaxially, apex gradually narrowed and truncate; auricles small, fringed with 2-3 bristles; ligules truncate, about 1 mm high, ciliolate; blades erect, as wide as half of the sheath apex at base. Foliage leaves: sheaths glabrous, frequently marked with purple-red spots; auricles lacking, each substituted by 2-3 bristles; blades linear-lanceolate, 12-20 cm long, 8-13 mm wide, glabrous.
Distribution:
Endemic to Hong Kong; restricted to Eagle's Nest and CUHK campus.
Habitat and Ecology:
On hillslopes. Sprouting: spring.
First discovered in Eagle's Nest in 1981, the species is endemic to Hong Kong and is thus of special botanical interest. The elegant culms and bright green leaves make it a charming ornamental bamboo. Despite its restricted distribution range and population size, populations of the type locality are protected within Country Parks. This species was named after Dr. Shiu-ying Hu to honour her contribution to the understanding of the flora of Hong Kong.
References:
Chia, L.C. & Fung, H.L., 1983: Notes on Gramineae: Bambusoideae in Hong Kong. Kew Bulletin 37(4): 591-595.
But, P.L., L.C. Chia, H.L. Fung and S.Y. Hu, 1985: Hong Kong Bamboo. 27. The Urban Council, Hong Kong.
王正平、葉光漢，1996：中國植物誌9(1): 582, 圖版178:1-3. 科學出版社，北京。
