'Pigskin'
Phyllostachys viridis  
 
 
Above photo taken back in 1992 of Roger Sr. as he leans
 on a two inch cane of 'Pigskin'.


This bamboo is one of the tall/timber species that grows to a height of 47 feet and a diameter
 of 3 1/4 inches in diameter. We have seen culms over three inches here in Alabama. It has the
 nickname of "pigskin" because of minute dimpling effect that can be felt with sensitive fingers.
'Pigskin' Bamboo looks like the skin of a football under a magnifying glass.
 
The large culms have a white powdery ring below each node. The new green culms
 will often turn to a yellowish gold with age and sunlight. (Look at the picture above to see this effect)

     

Looking up at two mature P. viridis specimens. Limbs begin at around 12 feet
on this size bamboo, however the number of canes in a maturing grove provide low screening due to sheer volume.

The new Spring shoots are edible without bitterness even in the raw state.

 
 

 
   As you can see, this is about a three inch culm and it also has the white powdery ring around the lower part of the internode.  
 
 
 
Phyllostachys viridis is cold hardy to -5 degrees F. and grows well in clay soils and sizes up
very quickly compared to other timber bamboo.
 
 
 
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