Borinda frigidis (T. P. Yi) Stapleton ["frigidorum"]; Fargesia alpina Hsueh & C. M. Hui.

Rhizome neck 3–7 cm, 1–1.8 cm in diam., internodes 2–5 mm, solid. Culms 1.5–3.5 m, 1–1.7 cm in diam.; internodes terete, 22–24 cm, conspicuously longitudinally ribbed, initially densely white waxy and white-gray setose below nodes, glabrescent, nearly solid; wall 2.5–5.5 mm thick; supra-nodal ridges level; sheath scar very prominent, woody. Branches 4–13 per node, deflexed. Culm sheaths gradually deciduous to persistent, narrowly rounded, 1/5–2/5 as long as internodes, leathery, very sparsely appressed light yellow setulose, upper margins yellow-brown ciliolate initially, longitudinal ribs conspicuous, apex asymmetrical; auricles absent, one shoulder rising to triangular point; oral setae absent; ligule inclined-truncate or truncate, 1–1.5 mm, glabrous, often rising in center; blade readily deciduous, reflexed, triangular to linear-lanceolate, articulating with apex of culm sheath. Leaves 1–4 per ultimate branch, mostly deciduous in winter; sheath glabrous; auricles absent, one shoulder rising to triangular point; oral setae absent or sometimes few; ligule inclined-truncate, ca. 0.4 mm; blade lanceolate, 2.3–5.2 × 0.45–0.7 cm, glabrous, secondary veins 2- or 3-paired, transverse veins distinct, base broadly cuneate, one margin spinescent-serrulate, other margin obscure. Inflorescence unknown. New shoots Aug.

The boundaries between this species and the earlier-named Far-gesia melanostachys, Arundinaria forrestii, and A. acutissima require clarification. The types lack sufficient vegetative material for satisfactory comparison without revisiting type localities.

The epithet frigidis means "from cold places," whereas the epithet frigida, which is sometimes used, implies a subtly different and less appropriate meaning: "cold bamboo."

The culms are used for weaving and for brooms.

* 3100–3700 m. W Yunnan.