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chusquea bamboo

Scientific Name: Chusquea

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Chusquea culeou: Chilean Bamboo

Chusquea culeou, commonly known as Chilean bamboo, colihe, Andean weeping bamboo, or Chilean feather bamboo, is a striking bamboo species known for its distinctive appearance and cold hardiness.

It is a favourite for those who desire the look of a running bamboo without the plant's spreading characteristics, as Chusquea culeou forms dense clumps.

Considerations for Pets

  • Chusquea culeou is known to have leafy branches with a bottlebrush effect, which may be tempting for pets to chew on.
  • Some varieties, like Chusquea culeou &#39Cana Prieta&#39, feature spiky, upright growth.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
  • Synonyms/Alternative Names: Some texts suggest possible misidentification of Chusquea gigantea as either Chusquea breviglumis or Chusquea aff culeou.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the Valdivian rainforests and humid temperate forests of Chile and southwestern Argentina.
  • Said to be the most southerly bamboo in the world in its natural habitat.

Morphology and Growth Habits

  • An evergreen bamboo that grows to approximately 5 meters (16 feet) in height and 2.5 meters (8 feet) in spread.
  • Characterized by olive green canes that grow to 3-4 meters.
  • Has leafy branches in a distinctive "bottlebrush" effect.
  • Forms a dense, upright clump, reaching a mature height of about 12 feet (4 meters).
  • New shoots can exhibit red, pink, and green hues.

Quirky Facts

  • One text likens the foliage of Chusquea culeou to a fox tail.
  • The cultivar Chusquea culeou &#39Cana Prieta&#39 gets its name from Latin, meaning blackish or dark.

Additional Information

  • The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) offers information on Chusquea culeou.
  • Dave's Garden community may also have user-submitted tips and ideas.