Mottled Bamboo

Mottled Bamboo

　　Mottled Bamboo, also known as spotted bamboo, is a variant of Phyllostachys bambusoides, a species in the genus Phyllostachys of the bamboo subfamily within the grass family. It is native to Hunan, Henan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and other regions. The bamboo culms are covered with brown cloud-like purple spots. Culms grow 7–13 m tall with diameters of 3–10 cm. The culms feature purple-brown patches and spots, and the branches also have purple-brown speckles. The difference from the original variety lies in the presence of purple-brown patches and spots on the culms and branches. It is a renowned ornamental bamboo, with culms used for crafting handicrafts and timber.

　　　Mottled Bamboo, also called "spotted bamboo" or "tear bamboo," has black spots on its culms. This type of bamboo grows in the Jiuyi Mountains of Hunan.

　　A medium to small-sized bamboo, the culms can reach 5–10 m in height and 3–5 cm in diameter. Both the culm ring and sheath ring are raised; the culm sheaths are yellowish-brown with dark brown spots and sparse stiff upright hairs. The auricles are small, rectangular or sickle-shaped, with long, curved bristles. The blade is triangular or strap-shaped, orange-red with green edges, slightly wrinkled, and drooping. Each branchlet bears 2–4 blades; the leaves are band-shaped and lanceolate, 7–15 cm long and 1.2–2.3 cm wide. The ligule is well-developed, with auricles and long shoulder hairs. The shooting season is May to June. It is a high-quality material for traditional Chinese bamboo furniture.

　　　Legend has it that during the era of Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun, there were nine vicious dragons living in nine caves in the Jiuyi Mountains of Hunan. They often came to the Xiang River to play, causing devastating floods that washed away crops and houses, bringing immense suffering to the people, who cried out in misery. Emperor Shun, deeply concerned about the people’s hardships, was unable to eat or sleep peacefully upon hearing of the dragons’ rampage. Determined to help the people and eliminate the threat, he resolved to journey south.

　　Emperor Shun had two consorts—Ehuang and Nüying, the daughters of Emperor Yao. Though born into royalty and holding the status of imperial consorts, they were deeply influenced by the teachings of Yao and Shun. They did not seek pleasure but cared earnestly for the people’s welfare. They were deeply saddened by Shun’s departure. However, thinking of the relief and safety it would bring to the Xiang River people, they suppressed their sorrow and joyfully saw Shun off on his mission.

　　After Shun left, Ehuang and Nüying waited anxiously at home for news of his triumph over the dragons. They prayed day and night for his swift and safe return. But year after year passed, with the swallows coming and going and flowers blooming and fading, yet there was no word from Shun. Their worry grew. Ehuang said, “Could he have been wounded by the dragons? Or fallen ill in a distant land?” Nüying replied, “Or perhaps met with danger on the road, or lost his way in the far mountains?” After much deliberation, they decided that waiting at home for news that might never come was unbearable. So, braving wind and frost, they trekked across mountains and rivers to the Xiang River in the south to search for their husband. Mottled Bamboo

　　Crossing mountain after mountain and fording river after river, they finally arrived at the Jiuyi Mountains. Following the Big Purple Silk River to the mountaintop and descending along the Small Purple Silk River, they searched every village and path in the Jiuyi range. One day, they came upon a place called Three Peaks Stone, where three towering rocks stood amid emerald bamboo, beside a grand tomb built of pearl shells. Astonished, they asked the local villagers, “Whose tomb is this, so magnificent and beautiful? Why do these three great stones stand so precipitously?” The villagers, tears in their eyes, replied, “This is the tomb of Emperor Shun. He came from afar in the north to help us slay the nine vicious dragons. Thanks to him, we now live peaceful lives. But he gave his all, toiled ceaselessly, exhausted his heart and soul, and eventually fell ill and died here.” It turned out that after Shun’s passing, the people of the Xiang River built this tomb in gratitude for his great kindness. A group of cranes in the Jiuyi Mountains, moved by his sacrifice, flew daily to the South Sea to fetch gleaming pearls, which they scattered upon his grave, forming this pearl-strewn tomb. The three massive stones were the shovel Shun used to slay the dragons, transformed into stone after being thrust into the earth. Upon learning the truth, Ehuang and Nüying were heartbroken and wept bitterly. They cried for nine days and nine nights, until their eyes were swollen, voices hoarse, and tears dried up. In the end, they cried blood and died beside Shun.

　　The tears of Ehuang and Nüying fell upon the bamboo growing on the mountains of Jiuyi. Spots appeared on the bamboo culms—purple, snow-white, and blood-red—giving rise to what is now known as “Mottled Bamboo.” Some spots resemble fingerprints, said to be imprints left when the consorts wiped their tears on the bamboo; others are bright red, stained by the blood tears shed by the two consorts.

　　Chen Ding’s Bamboo Manual refers to it as “Xiaoxiang Bamboo” or “Tear-marked Bamboo.” The black spots on the culms are quite beautiful. It is a high-quality material for traditional Chinese bamboo furniture. The Record of Objects states: “The two daughters of Emperor Yao, consorts of Emperor Shun, known as the ‘Xiang Consorts,’ wept upon Shun’s death, their tears staining the bamboo entirely with spots.” The Compendium of Flowers and Plants says: “Mottled Bamboo is what is called ‘Xiangfei Bamboo’ in the Wu region.”