Nine Doubts Spotted Bamboo

Nine Doubts Spotted Bamboo

　　Nine Doubts Mountain spotted bamboo, also known as Xiangfei bamboo or Weeping bamboo, is a rare and precious variety of bamboo in China. A nature reserve for spotted bamboo has been established in this area. The outer surface of the bamboo features realistic tear-like marks and streaks, appearing in brownish-black or purplish hues. "One stalk of spotted bamboo holds a thousand teardrops" refers to a magical and ancient legend: it is said that when Emperor Shun went on a southern tour, he died in Cangwu and was buried in the Nine Doubts Mountains. His two consorts, Ehuang and Nüying, came to search for him. They traveled upstream along the Xiao River and downstream along the various branches of the Zijingshui River, but never found him. Overcome with grief, they wept incessantly, and their teardrops fell upon the bamboo, thus creating the spotted bamboo. According to biologists, there was once an extensive belt of spotted bamboo forests in the Nine Doubts Mountain region, spread across the adjacent mountainous areas of Ningyuan, Lanshan, Jianghua, and Daoxian counties, stretching about three to four hundred li from east to west and nearly one hundred li from north to south. Today, only a little over 460 mu remain. In 1981, a nature reserve for spotted bamboo was established in this area.