Sasa palmata in the EPPO region: addition to the EPPO Alert List
Why
Sasa palmata (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 S. palmata 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: Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Russian Federation (native in Kuril and Sakhalin Islands), United Kingdom
Asia (native): Japan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea
North America: USA (Tennessee)
Oceania: New Zealand.
Morphology
Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect and 150-300 cm in height; 7-10 mm diameter. Lateral branches suffrutescent. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Leaf-blades oblong; 18-30 cm long; 50-80 mm wide.
Biology and Ecology
Sasa palmata is a running bamboo with leptomorph rhizomes. It is a long-lived perennial bamboo species. Seed is rarely produced.
Habitats
S. palmata tolerate partial shaded conditions. It grows in well-drained moist soils. It is found in ruderal habitats, damp woodlands and riparian habitats.
Pathways for movement
Plants for planting: S. palmata 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
S. palmata can form dense monocultures in the natural environment which can act to outcompete and displace native plant species. Although the impacts are likely to be local, it can prevent the regeneration of native species.
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 even small fragments remaining 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, 00, 1-15 https://doi.org/10.1111/epp.13073
Fujimura Y, Takada M, Fujita H, Inoue T (2017): Change in distribution of the vascular plant Sasa palmata in Sarobetsu Mire between 1977 and 2003. Landscape and Ecological Engineering 9,305–309.
Invasive Species of Northern Ireland (2024): Sasa palmata & Pseudosasa japonica – overview. https://invasivespeciesni.co.uk/species-accounts/established/terrestrial/bamboo
SLU Artdatabanken (2024). Artfakta: Sasa palmata. https://artfakta.se/taxa/sasa-palmata-265206
Taylor B, Glaister J, Wade M (2021) Invasive bamboos. Their impact and management in Great Britain and Ireland. Packard Publishing Limited, Chichester, GB.