This spring, a rare natural event occurred on the Higashi-Hiroshima Campus. Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis (a bamboo species commonly known as "hachiku" in Japanese) is now blooming, this event is said to happen only once every 120 years.

Professor Toshihiro Yamada has shared valuable photos of the flowering bamboo!

Professor Yamada commented:

“Hachiku is known for its highly synchronized blooming behavior. When it blooms, bamboo groves across Japan tend to flower simultaneously. Conversely, when it does not bloom, none do—as if by mutual agreement. Considering the 120-year cycle, this may be a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.

Hachiku is widely seen in Japan from Okinawa to the southern part of Hokkaido. Our university has a hachiku grove right here on campus that is blooming this year.

There might be one blooming near you too—don’t miss it!”

To learn more about Professor Yamada’s research, please visit here.