Schizostachyum gracile

Synonyms: Melocanna gracilis Kurz ex Munro; Schizostachyum tenue Gamble; Schizostachyum gracile var. erectum Holttum.

Thai name: No known records.

Distribution: THAILAND: No records are known on whether this species has been successfully introduced and cultivated in Thailand. — MALAYSIA (Peninsular): southern part; forest margins, river banks, endemic. — SINGAPORE: native, endemic, but recorded extinct and later rediscovered.

Culm size: Height 3–4 m, dia­meter 1.5–2 cm.

Descriptions:

(1) H. B. Gilliland, Revised Flora of Malaya, vol. 3, 1971: p. 39 [#1039].

(2) K. M. Wong, Bamboos of Peninsular Malaysia, 1995: p. 169-171, fig. 96-97 [#1210].

(3) "Habit: Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms arching; 300–400 cm long; 15–20 mm diam.; woody. Culm-internodes terete; hollow; distally pubescent. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement many. Culm-sheaths pubescent; with appressed hairs; with tawny hairs; auriculate; with 10 mm high auricles; setose on shoulders; shoulders with curved hairs; shoulders with 10 mm long hairs. Culm-sheath ligule 0.5 mm high; ciliate. Culm-sheath blade ovate; erect; 3–4.5 cm long; 15–30 mm wide; pubescent (at base); acuminate. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 10–20 cm long; 10–20 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. … [flowers and seeds described]." — Kew GrassBase, accessed 20 Oct. 2020 [#1335].

(4) J. F. Veldkamp & al., Poaceae (Gramineae), in: Flora of Singapore, Vol. 7, 2019: p. 248 [#1283].

Images: Photos in J. F. Veldkamp & al., l.c., 2019: p. 249 [#1283] (young shoot, culms).

Uses: Plants as garden ornamentals.

Comments: Schizostachyum gracile var. erectum was described as having more slender and erect culms with only their tips drooping.