Needmore Bamboo Co.
 
                         
         
Arundinaria Genus - The only bamboo native to the US are members of the Arundinaria genus and in fact the range of the native groves extends into southern Indiana. The US representation includes 3 forms - A. gigantea, A. gigantea 'Tecta' and the newly named species A. appalachiana.  In time the subspecies 'Tecta' may be determined to be a distinct species rather than a subspecies of A. gigantea as it appears to posses unique features. The species A. appalachiana is deciduous and looks to be brown & dead by late winter only to re-leaf with new foliage in the spring.  On my bamboo importation trip to the Netherlands in 2005, I imported a form of 'Tecta' that has been given the name A. gigantea 'Tecta Omega' in Europe. It is my understanding that 'Omega' is a new generation seedling from a flowering US 'Tecta', one that exhibits superior appearance and vigor when compared to the parent form. If the tiny little runt that I brought back manages to take hold we will have this one established back in the US in 3-4 years.
   The native Indiana A. gigantea I collected has thus far proven to be the hardiest bamboo that I grow. It suffered only minor damage at -19F and generally holds green leaves all winter. It is also one of only a couple of bamboo that have produced late fall shoots that survived winter and started growing back out in the spring. The downside is that it can be an ugly duckling if not well maintained and it also does not seem to have much vigor. I am hopeful that a form we collected and gave the nickname 'Possom Trot' will exhibit equal hardiness, with superior vigor as it is a very attractive bamboo. A recent acquisition we nicknamed 'Paperweight' is also attractive and holds some promise. In recognition that there are multiple clones among the native forms, myself and other local bambuseros are hoping to identify, collect, and preserve some of the remaining Indiana clones of A. gigantea. If we are able to identify an attractive, vigorous clone it will be a great addition to the bamboo world as these forms do quite well as screening species in heavy shade and appear to be hyper-hardy.
   I also have one other member of the genus - Arundinaria funghomii but I have recently dug it out and potted it up as it was nearly dead in the ground due to poor site conditions.
   		 
     
       
       
This planting of native Indiana A. gigantea has been well maintained and is quite attractive however the same clone in 2 different spots is rather tattered looking.
       
 
         
     
A. gigantea - This very attractive form was obtained from a home on Possom Trot Road in Brown County and is of unknown origin. This one has great potential and I am hopeful that it will be hardy & vigorous. The source grove shown in the photo below was mowed into tight clumps for 40+ years and it was very difficult to obtain a viable division from the tight clumps.