Arundinaria melanostachys Handel-Mazzetti, Anz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math.-Naturwiss. Kl. 61: 23. 1925; A. acutissima Keng; A. forrestii Keng; Sinarundinaria acutissima (Keng) P. C. Keng; S. forrestii (Keng) P. C. Keng; S. melanostachys (Handel-Mazzetti) Keng ex P. C. Keng.

Culms 4–6 m, 1–3 cm in diam.; internodes terete or slightly flattened, 26–28(–40) cm, ridged, initially densely white powdery, glabrous; wall 2–5 mm thick; supra-nodal ridges obscure or level; sheath scar prominent. Branches 3–11 per node. Culm sheaths persistent, narrowly rounded to triangularly narrowly rounded, 1/2–3/5 as long as internodes, leathery, glabrous or sometimes white-gray setulose, initially white powdery, longitudinal ribs conspicuous, margins white-gray ciliate; auricles and oral setae absent; ligule ca. 1 mm, triangular, glabrous; blade erect, triangular or narrowly so, glabrous. Leaves 2 or 3 per ultimate branch; sheath glabrous; auricles and oral setae absent; ligule arcuate, ca. 1 mm, glabrous; blade lanceolate, 3.5–7.5 × 0.7–1.4 cm, glabrous, secondary veins 3-paired, transverse veins obscure, base cuneate, one margin spinescent-serrulate, other margin obscure. Inflorescence a raceme or simple panicle, with 1 lanceolate or triangular bract at base; spikelets 2–8, 1.8–5 cm, rachilla 4–5 mm; florets 3–8, apical floret sterile, apex densely puberulous. Glumes 2, unequal, glabrous; lemma ovate-lanceolate, abaxially slightly puberulous, apex acuminate; palea keels serrulate, apex bifid; lodicules 3, margins apically ciliate. Anthers yellow. Ovary ovoid, glabrous; styles 2; stigmas 3, white, plumose. Caryopsis unknown. New shoots Jul–Aug.

The boundaries between this species, its synonyms, and the later-named Fargesia frigidis and its synonym require detailed investigation through gatherings of new material from type localities.

The culms are used for fishing rods.

* 3100–3800 m. W Yunnan.