There is debate as to whether this Switch Cane might really be a natural variety of the Giant Cane (A. gigantean) or its own species. It could be A. gigantea tecta. It is an American native bamboo that is found wild in spots from southern New Jersey to southern Illinois to east Texas to northern Florida in rich soiled uplands, along riverbanks, in damp open woods, and in bogs. It has light green, thin foliage. It spreads by underground runners to become a colony, though it is not fast growing. Native Americans used to use the stems of this Switch Cane and the larger Giant Cane for basketry. It used to be a lot more common in the 18th and 19th centuries, composing large "canebrakes" of large colonies. A few specialty nurseries sell some. I would rather use this native bamboo as my bamboo than an Asian species because an American species normally is better in ecology and wildlife benefit in America than exotic species. (My horticultural friend Dale got me a specimen in a pot from Triple Oaks Nursery & Herb Garden at 2359 Delsea Dr Franklinville, NJ 08322, not far east of Wilmington, DE, in November 2021.) I planted it in a bigger pot to better survive winter and so it would grow bigger. In November of 2022 I moved a little northwest to the next county and planted my specimen in the ground.

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