Plant DetailShow Menu

Ruscus-leaf Bamboo Shibataea kumasasa

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
she-bat-ee-a koo-muh-SAS-uh
Description

A compact, slow-growing low spreading bamboo with an interesting zig-zag pattern to the leaf arrangement.  It grows best in light to deep shade with well-drained soil thought it will tolerate clay that has good drainage or sandy soil with adequate watering. Once established it is drought tolerant.  Its evergreen leaves provide year-round color in a shade garden.

Quick ID

  • Short, broad leaves with persistent leaf sheaths
  • Cane-like growth with flexuous stem
  • Old, dried leaves tend not to curl
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#slow growing#shade garden#bamboo#border planting#clumping#fantz#compact habit#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#slow growing#shade garden#bamboo#border planting#clumping#fantz#compact habit#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Shibataea
    Species:
    kumasasa
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    SE. China, W. Japan
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Bamboo mites
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 7 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Tear-drop shaped arranged in a zig-zag pattern up the stem hence the common name. Leaves are lanceolate, short and broad, glabrous, dark green, often withering at apex, 1-inch wide x 2-4 inches long; persistent, white, dried-out leaf sheaths.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Reddish-brown stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heavy Shade