User:Joel.e.martin/sandbox

Phyllostachys acuta is an uncommon bamboo having thick culms in relation to its height. It is similar in shape to Phyllostachys dulcis, but is smaller in total height and culm diameter. Compared to other bamboos of similar height, such as P. decora, or P.aureosulcata, the culms of P. acuta are thicker, with more prominent nodes.

The young culms have very little white wax and are a darker green than most other Phyllostachys. Culms age to an olive green with faint yellow mottling. Fresh cut culms also seem to be very heavy and contain a higher moisture content than other members of this genus. New shoots have culm sheaths that are green with brown splotches and margins. Sheath auricles are absent and blades slightly wavy.

Culms ca. 8 m, 4–6 cm in diam.; internodes deep green, becoming green or yellow-green, to 25 cm, initially thinly white powdery, gently concentrated toward middle; nodes initially purple, conspicuously elevated, nodal ridge more prominent than sheath scar. Culm sheaths green or green-brown, with purple-brown spots, denser centrally, sparsely deciduously hairy or subglabrous; auricles and oral setae absent; ligule convex, ± decurrent on both flanks, ciliate; blade reflexed, green, with yellow margins, linear, flat or wavy. Leaves 3–5 per ultimate branch; sheath initially puberulent; auricles suborbicular; oral setae fimbriate, 5–10 mm; ligule strongly exserted; blade 9–17 × 1–1.2 cm, abaxially pubescent especially along midrib. Flowering branchlets spicate, 8–10 cm; scaly bracts 4 or 5, gradually larger; spathes 5–10, puberulent between veins; auricles small or absent; oral setae few, blade small. Pseudospikelets 1 per spathe. Spikelets lanceolate, 2.5–3(–3.5) cm; florets 1 or 2. Glumes (absent or)1 or 2(or 3); rachilla pubescent; lemma 2.2–2.4 cm, pubescent; palea shorter than lemma, glabrous or sparsely puberulent, keels ciliolate; lodicules linear or elliptic, ca. 5 mm. Anthers ca. 1 cm. Stigmas 3. New shoots Apr, fl. Apr–May. 2n = 48. The shoots are delicious, and the culms are used for various purposes.