Narrative
Received as Phyllostachys atrovaginata. Dr. Frederick Meyer (U.S. National Arboretum staff) recieved this plant from David Andrews, Oxon Hill, Md, as PI 80149. Based on the information, this should theoretically be PI 23242, since PI 23243 was identified (according to the annotated PI books) as Phyllostachys dulcis; however, PI 80149 (said to be either PI 23242 or 23243) is identified at another NPGS site as Phyllostachys heteroclada. From Plant Inventory No. 99: "80149. Phyllostachys sp. Poaceae. Bamboo. From Avery Island, La. Plants presented by E. A. McIlhenny, at the request of R. A. Young, Bureau of Plant Industry. Received April 22, 1929. This is said by Mr. McIlhenny in his letter dated November 19, 1929, to be one (which one is not known) of the two Chinese bamboos sent to him under F. P. I. No. 23242 and 23243 from Chico, Calif., April 3, 1914, by the Department of Agriculture. In 1929 one of the tallest culms at Avery Island was 21 feet high. The plants were in poor soil and have grown without attention, according to Mr. McIlhenny. They appear to belong unmistakably to Phyllostachys, though the sheaths of the young shoots are so different as at first to suggest the possibility of some other genus." Then, from Plant Inventory No. 15: "23233 to 23262. From China. Received through Mr. Frank N. Meyer, agricultural explorer, June, 1908, and brought by him from China to the Plant Introduction Garden, Chico, Cal. The following plants: [...] 23242. From vicinity of Tangsi, Chehkiang, China. "(No. 310, autumn, 1907.) Vegetable bamboo. An edible bamboo growing on the plains. Chinese name Oo chin tsoh." (Meyer.)" Given the discrepancies, it is not clear that this accession can be directly linked to any PI-numbered prior accession at this time; more research and information is needed, and ID needs to be confirmed. -SBL [Further note: a young shoot examined 5/27/2025 reveals conspicuously ciliate ligule and auricles, pointing to P. heteroclada rather than P. atrovaginata, although the culm sheath seems more purple-striped than purple-tinged to me. I presume the original PI number to be 23242. -SBL]