This small species, originally from China, can be similar to Bambusa alamii. It is cultivated throughout the tropics, with many different ornamental varieties, and is often trimmed into a low hedge. The common variety may be up to 10m in height with culms of up to 4cm in diameter. This is the plant known as B. multiplex cultivar ‘Fernleaf’. Other cultivars include several with striped culms and one with tiny leaves and culms reaching only 2m in height, known as the Chinese Goddess bamboo, var. rivierorum. This species is easy to confuse with species from small subtropical and temperate genera. Its branching is superficially very similar to that of species of Himalayacalamus,   but  the  broad   culm   sheath

blades distinguish these species quite clearly. B. multiplex can be separated from other Bambusa species by its narrow culms and small culm sheath auricles. Larger plants have densely hairy, glaucous undersides to the leaves. It is adaptable, growing from Calcutta up to altitudes of 2,000m, and does not appear to flower gregariously. Because of its small branches, culm cuttings would not be successful for this species. The traditional propagation technique is quite easy as the rhizomes are small. In addition branches often develop into rhizomatous clusters with long roots. These can be used for propagation if they are removed and transplanted into containers during the monsoon.