Bamboo ID help
 

Hello!

I'm thinking of planting some bamboo as a screen in my back yard (with
a barrier, of course). My girlfriend's mother has a substantial grove
in her backyard, so I've obviously thought about simply transplanting
from there -- she'd be happy to get rid of some of it!

I'd like to know what kind it is, however, and I've had trouble
figuring that out. I'm pretty sure it's in the Phyllostachys genus,
but I'm not sure what species it is.

What are some key thing to look for to help ID it? I can take some
digital photos and email them to anyone willing to give it a shot!

Thanks!

Thanks, I'll do that. I'll try to get some photos of the new shoots;
that's what led me to start thinking it's phyllostachys decora...

You can very easily confirm that it is a Phyllostachys. Basically each node should have 2 branches coming from the join:

http://www.minigroup.com/pfaf/board/viewtopic.php?t=24

for more info.

As an aside, I've just bought what claims to be a Phyllostachys Decora. This is the first one that I've really examined closely as I'd previously considered Phyllostachys to be a better shoot producer. Most Phyllostachys have virtually identical looking leaves when they are imature, with the exception of parvifolia. However, I've noticed that my Decora (so perhaps not all others) has significantly smaller leaves than most other Phyllostachys that I posess, somewhere in size between the parvifolia and the normal. That may help with the identification?

As an aside, I believe that Phyllostachys Decora is now named Phyllostachys Manii 'Decora', which may help you with your search for further information.