华丝竹 hua si zhu

Culms 3–4 m, 1–2 cm in diam.; internodes cylindrical but slightly concave at base above branches, 21–22 cm, initially green and densely glaucous, becoming dark green or yellow-green with persistent dark powder, deciduously setose; wall ca. 6 mm thick, pith lamellate; nodes slightly prominent. Culm sheaths gradually deciduous, green, about as long as internodes or slightly longer, leathery, sparsely setose, margins withered; auricles absent or small and circular; oral setae few, readily deciduous, erect; ligule truncate or arcuate, ca. 2 mm, glaucous, initially ciliolate; blade deflexed or reflexed, shortly triangular, base slightly constricted, apex acuminate. Leaves 3 or 4(–8) per ultimate branch; sheath densely deciduously setose; auricles readily deciduous, falcate; oral setae radiate, purple, ca. 3 mm; ligule prominent, ca. 5 mm; blade lanceolate, 10–23 × (1–)2.5–3.3 cm, secondary veins 7- or 8-paired, abaxially yellow-green and white tomentellate, adaxially light green and glabrous, base asymmetrically cuneate, margins serrulate. Inflorescence unknown. New shoots mid to late May.

* Near streams, roadsides in secondary hardwood forests; 400–800 m. Zhejiang.

The generic placement of this species is rather uncertain as its flowers and branching have not been described. It is similar to Acido-sasa notata and species of Pseudosasa and might be better included within P. maculifera.

The shoots are edible, and the culms are used for handicrafts and umbrella handles.