EPPO Alert List – Phyllostachys aurea (Poaceae)

Dense stand of Phyllostachys aurea

Image kindly provided by Swen Follak

 

Why 

Phyllostachys aurea (Poaceae) is recorded as an established species in the EPPO region where it can form dense stands. In 2025, the EPPO Panel on Invasive Alien Plants prioritised a list of bamboo species and P. aurea was identified as a priority for Pest Risk Analysis (PRA). However, the Panel noted there is little information on its impact in the EPPO region and therefore the species should be added to the Alert List, with the aim to collect further information on established populations and evidence of impact.

 

Geographical distribution

EPPO region: France, Italy, Portugal, Spain

Africa: Cameroon, Madagascar, Reunion

Asia: China (Fujian, Zhejiang), Taiwan, Vietnam

Central America and the Caribbean: Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras

North America: Mexico, USA (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia)

South America: Ecuador

Oceania: Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria), New Zealand

 

Morphology

Culms 2-8 m tall, 2-3 cm diameter, cylindrical or grooved, green, golden-yellow when old, smooth glabrous. Culm-sheaths 12-18 cm long, deciduous, green or light orange-yellow when fresh, with purple red or light green ribbed striation and brown spots on outer surface, covered with short white hairs towards the base. 

 

Biology and Ecology

P. aurea is a running bamboo with leptomorph rhizomes. It is a long-lived perennial bamboo species. Seed is rarely produced.

 

Habitats

P. aurea can grow in full sun and it can also tolerate shaded conditions. It is tolerant to a wide range of soil types. In the EPPO region habitats at risk include riparian and woodland habitats. 

 

Pathways for movement

Plants for planting: P. aurea is traded as a garden ornamental plant and it is popular in gardens and parks. There is the potential that rhizomes can be discarded as garden waste. Natural spread is from the spread of rhizomes. If growing near rivers, rhizomes can be incorporated into the water body and spread downstream. 

 

Impacts

Phyllostachys aurea can form dense monocultures in the natural environment which can act to outcompete and displace native plant species. When it invades woodland habitats it can have a negative impact on woodland regeneration. The rhizomes can have negative impact on infrastructure in urban areas. 

 

Control

Bamboos can be difficult to control due to their extensive underground rhizomes. Chemical herbicides can be used but these must be applied carefully in natural habitats. Rhizomes can be excavated from the ground but this is labour intensive and any remaining small fragments can regenerate into viable plants

 

Sources

 

Brundu G, Follak S, Pergl J, Chapman D, Branquart E, Buholzer S, Fløistad IS, Fried G, Herbst M, Marchante E, van Valkenburg J, Tanner R (2025) Risk prioritization of bamboo species in the EPPO region. EPPO Bulletin (In Press)

Fried G (2012) Guide des plantes invasives. Belin. p. 272.

InfoFlora (2021) Gold-Bambus, Japanischer Bambus und andere Bambusarten (Süssgräser). https://www.infoflora.ch/assets/content/documents/neophyten/inva_phyl_aur_d.pdf

Lonati M, Nota G, Pittarello M, Lombardi G, Damilano R, Buzio S, Froese T, Peyron A, Mezzasalma V, Frigerio J, Mattia F, Gorini T, Enri SR (2019) Guida all’identificazione dei bamboo naturalizzati in Piemonte e Valle d’Aosta. DISAFA, Grugliasco (TO). Available at: https://bambapp.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/4/6/114688989/guida_identificazione_bamboo_naturalizzati.pdf

Maryland Department of Agriculture (2016) Weed Risk Assessment for Phyllostachys aurea Carr. ex A. & C. Rivière (Poaceae) – Golden bamboo.   https://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Documents/Phyllostachy_aurea_WRA_102016-1.pdf

Montagnani C, Gentili R, Citterio S (2018) Phyllostachys aurea. In: Bisi F, Montagnani C, Cardarelli E, Manenti, R, Trasforini S, Gentili R, Ardenghi NMG, Citterio S, Bogliani G, Ficetola F, Rubolini D, Puzzi C, Scelsi F, Rampa A, Rossi E, Mazzamuto MV, Wauters LA, Martinoli A (2022) Strategia di azione e degli interventi per il controllo e la gestione delle specie alloctone in Regione Lombardia. Regione Lombardia, Italy, 33 pp. Available at: https://www.regione.lombardia.it/

Romanowski N (1993) Grasses, Bamboos and related plants in Australia. Lothian Books, Port Melbourne VIC, Australia

Taylor B, Glaister J, Wade M (2021) Invasive bamboos. Their impact and management in Great Britain and Ireland. Packard Publishing Limited, Chichester, GB.

Weeds Australia (2019) Phyllostachys aurea Riviere & C.Riviere https://weeds.org.au/profiles/golden-bamboo-fish/

 

EPPO RS 2025/049 

Entry date 2025-02