Stems to 6 m or more tall, bending over when mature. Leaves to 7 per branch, each tapering gradually towards the tip, often over 30 cm long, 4 cm wide, slightly waxy blue in part below (more or less bicoloured). Sheaths closely persistent over much of the node. Nodes generally at an angle and with a whitish waxy bloom below, the lower ones often without branches. Basal sheaths hairy at first, persistent. [Arundinaria japonica Steud., Sasa japonica (Steud.) Mak.]
Japan, Korea
At the tips of the branches there are usually 5-7 large leaves tapering to their tips; they are waxy below, the bluish colouring reduced on one side of the leaf so the leaves often appear to have a greenish stripe along their length which extends inwards over about one third of the leaf (two-toned); the nodes are mostly angled and with a bluish bloom just below the node; flowers are produced quite frequently.
Source: (2005). Poaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
