Narihiradake (Narihira bamboo) - Semiarundinaria fastuosa

Japanese: ナリヒラダケ(業平竹) - ナリヒラダケ（英語表記）Semiarundinaria fastuosa

A large type of bamboo in the grass family. It grows wild in the Chugoku, Kyushu, and Shikoku regions, but is usually planted in gardens for decorative purposes. It grows to a height of over 5m and a diameter of about 3.5cm. The rhizome runs horizontally, and bamboo shoots appear here and there. The skin of the bamboo shoots is purple-green and hairless, and they open and fall off while still attached to the culm. The culm is reddish-green. The branches are short and grow in clusters, making for a beautiful sight. The ends of the branches grow in a zigzag pattern. Each twig has four to five leaves. The name comes from bamboo (male bamboo), but it is said to have been named after Ariwara no Narihira, as many branches grow from one node like bamboo (female bamboo), or because of its gentle appearance.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

イネ科の大型のタケの1種。中国地方，九州，四国に自生するが，普通は観賞用として庭に植えられる。高さ 5mあまりになり，径 3.5cmぐらい。根茎は横に走り，ところどころにたけのこが出る。たけのこの皮は紫緑色で毛はなく，稈節に付着したまま開き脱落する。稈は紅緑色。枝が短く群生するので美しい。枝先はジグザグに伸びる。葉は小枝ごとに4～5枚つく。名前の由来は竹 (男竹) であるが笹 (女竹) のように1節から多くの枝を出すことから，在原業平に見立てたとも，姿がやさしいところからついたともいわれる。

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