Abstract: The wound reactions in the rhizome of Phyllostachys edulis (Carr.) H. de kehaie, the main cultivated bamboo species in China, were studied. Three days after wounding metabolites of physiological reactions were observed near the wound. In the metaxylem vessels slimy substances appeared. After one week the walls of sieve tubes and short parenchyma cells near the wound edge became lignified. Additional lamellae were deposited on the inner wall of the longer parenchyma cells. Two weeks after wounding a more clear distinction was visualized between the wound modificated tissue and the undamaged one. After four weeks some vessels were filled up with the slimy material.Tyloses were not observed, however. Sieve tubes became functionless due to encrustation with phenolic substances and lignification. These wound responses of the rhizome were basically the same as those of the bamboo culm only with some specific differences.

Key words: Bamboo, Rhizome, Anatomy, Wound reaction