Abstract

Rivercane (Arundinaria gigantea) is a bamboo native to the Southeastern United States. The species has been reduced to an estimated 2% of its historical ground cover due to land-use changes since colonization, predominantly from urban and agricultural development. Rivercane is ecologically important as a unique habitat and riparian buffer, and culturally significant to many Indigenous groups. This study sought to investigate the effect of small rhizome macropropagation on the first-year growth of rivercane, in an effort to evaluate potential influences on propagation and first-year growth. Rhizomes were harvested from three different locations on or adjacent to the University of North Carolina at Asheville’s (UNC Asheville) property in late March of 2025. Rhizomes were cut into segments containing 2-5 nodes, and measurements of rhizome circumference and length were taken before placing them in individual plastic sandwich bags containing site soil. They were then propagated in the lab for approximately six weeks. A total of 87 segments were collected, of which 46 were successfully propagated and replanted. The propagated plants were planted in a randomized study design, and monthly measurements of height (cm), diameter at ground level (cm), number of live leaves, and dieback of shoots (cm) and leaves were collected from May to December of 2025, and then again in March of 2026. There were no significant correlations between rhizome volume and number of nodes with continuous growth, number of leaves present, or dieback in the first year. The location of rhizome collection had a significant impact on propagation success, with the Asheville Botanical Garden trail edge showing the highest shoot emergence success rate. Rhizome volume had no impact on shoot emergence. Rivercane propagation can be successful using various methods, and long-term studies are needed to determine which factors yield the highest propagation and survival rates.

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