New canes emerge green and turn ebony black within two years. This is reported to be the only species the culm turns a true ebony in color. The culm sheath have wavy blades with prominent oral setae, auricles and ligules. Black bamboo should be protected from wind if possible. The culms are not as erect in shaded sides as some other species and tend to weep or arch over.
Pruning can correct this behavior.