Bambusa vulgaris ‘Vittata’ (Painted Bamboo)

Common Names: Painted Bamboo, Stripe Bamboo, Ivory Bamboo, Golden Hawaiian Bamboo, Clump-Forming Bamboo

Botanical Name: Bambusa vulgaris ‘Vittata’

Synonyms: Bambusa vulgaris ‘Striata’

Family: Poaceae

Distribution: Native to Yunnan and Indo-China.

Uses:

Ornamental bamboo with distinctive yellow stems and green vertical stripes.
Valued for its striking appearance, adding a unique touch to gardens, parks, and private landscapes.
Widely used in ornamental landscaping for its visual appeal.
Dense growth provides excellent privacy screening and windbreaks.

Bambusa vulgaris ‘Vittata’

An ornamental bamboo characterized by its distinctive yellow stems with green vertical stripes. It grows rapidly to a height of 20-30 ft., featuring a dense clumping habit and lush foliage. Leaves narrowly lanceolate 6-30 cm long and 1-4 cm wide. Culms 5-10 cm in diam., base straight or flexuose, internodes 20-30 cm long.

Cultivation: Thrives in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It is propagated primarily through division of established clumps or by planting culm cuttings. The plant requires regular watering to establish but is relatively low-maintenance once mature, providing fast growth and a striking visual impact.

Etymology: The genus name “Bambusa” comes from the Indian vernacular name bambu, referring to bamboo. The specific epithet “vulgaris” means common in Latin, indicating its widespread occurrence. The cultivar ‘Vittata’ is derived from the Latin word vittatus, meaning striped or banded, highlighting the distinctive striped pattern of its stems.