It is not bamboo. It may be Japanese Knotweed?

This post was edited by kentuck_8b on Sun, Apr 20, 14 at 20:24

It looks like Japanese knotweed to me.
See if anyone else confirms it.
In the U.K., this is the worst invasive plant ever. Do not touch it with a barge pole.
Get rid of it by putting it in a strong yard bag. Make sure that not even a tiny bit of root has dropped. Do not put it on a compost heap, but ask your local council how to dispose of it.
Make sure whoever gave it to you, understands what they have.
Daisy

I used to have Japanese knotweed, and as long as you mow around it, this stuff doesn't spread anywhere else. I got rid of mine because unlike bamboos, it will flop over, and the canes aren't really of any use. What you have is 100% Japanese knotweed. If it was a gift from someone important, I think it would be disrespectful to throw it away even though it isn't really bamboo.

Your stems probably won't grow much taller due to the transplant shock this year, but as long as you grow it in the middle of the yard, and have it well maintained, it should not spread. The only time there are issues is when it is growing along a highway where nobody takes care of it. This plant is not invasive if you take care of it.

What you have is not bamboo, but when young, the shoots are edible like rhubarb, and you can grow it as a perennial. I have attached a link to what real bamboo looks like.

Here is a link that might be useful: Real bamboo

It is definitely not a good idea to plant this. I don't know where in the world you garden, but wherever it is please get rid of this plant.
I know that if you are in the U.K. there is legislation regarding how you dispose of it. See the link below.
Daisy

Here is a link that might be useful: the law Japanese Knotweed

Here is another link, with more information about it.
Daisy

Here is a link that might be useful: more info

You have what is commonly called Mexican bamboo but most know it as Japanese knotweed and it is indeed quite weedy in some climates. If you have a cultivar like 'crimson beauty' it will not be weedy at all however it needs a large spot as it grows as a rather large shrub. There are also some variegated cultivars of this. And it obviously is not a true bamboo, only in 1 of its common names.