Medake (Pleioblastus simonii)

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Pleioblastus simonii is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 4.5 m (14ft 9in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour, this bitterness is considerably reduced by changing the water at least once during the cooking process - though this will also remove quite a few of the nutrients. — Young shoots - cooked.; They have a very bitter flavour, this bitterness is considerably reduced by changing the water at least once during the cooking process - though this will also remove quite a few of the nutrients.; The new shoots are about 20mm in diameter.; As a grass seed the paper husk must be removed before eating.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)