I was going to upload photos of Fargesia dracocephala Rufa that arrived today. In our db, there are listings for Fargesia dracocephala (Dragon's Head), Fargesia Rufa (Hardy Bamboo), and Fargesia Rufa 'Green Panda' ( http://garden.org/plants/searc... , http://garden.org/plants/searc...) but none for Fargesia dracocephala Rufa which is the name used by Santa Rosa Gardens (http://www.santarosagardens.co... ). To further complicate matters, it appears that they are selling Rufa "Green Panda" - a smaller version of Rufa but this is not my issue at the moment (They reference 'Green Panda' as the common name in their description). Bamboo Gardens ( http://www.bamboogarden.com/Fa... ) has it listed as Fargesia sp Rufa (aka Fargesia dracocephala 'Rufa' ) and notes that there is now belief that Fargesia sp Rufa = Fargesia dracocephala (Dragon's Head). Upon further research, I came across this item @ http://bamboo-identification.c... . To quote them:

"Dragon’s Head Bamboo: Fargesia dracocephala

It would appear that the bamboo widely cultivated as F. dracocephala for about 15 years has been misidentified. That species has now been named F. apicirubens, and it is time for the real F. dracocephala to stand up. It is cultivated in western gardens as well, but has also been grown under an incorrect name, F. rufa, partly because the correct name, F. dracocephala was already in use, being misapplied to F. apicirubens....... "

The article goes in depth to all of the issues with the naming and mis-naming of the cultivars so I now understand the terminology used by Santa Rosa. So, my question is... should there be listings for all 3 (as is current) or should Fargesia Rufa be listed as Fargesia dracocephala (aka Fargesia 'Rufa') with a separate entry below that for the smaller version 'Green Panda'. If not, under which of the 3 should I upload photos to?

I apologize for being and again but I am in desperate need of help

According to the latest Catalogue of Life data, F. dracocephala and F. rufa are two separate and distinct species. The COL does not recognize the name F. apicirubens as an accepted species name. I think the information in your link dates back to 2006, but the COL information is more recent, so I'd be inclined to believe that the theory regarding F. apicirubens was not borne out. I think Santa Rosa Gardens is selling F. rufa and has mistakenly included "dracocephala" in the name. Green Panda appears to be a trademarked name, so I don't think it's merely a common name.

Thank you, Zuzu, for the information. Which entry would you like the photos to be uploaded to (Fargesia Rufa or Fargesia Rufa "Green Panda' ? I purchased the plants in question from Santa Rosa.

I would upload them to Fargesia rufa. The name Green Panda appears to have been trademarked for a specific Bamboo Select specimen of F. rufa, which may or may not be the one Santa Rosa Gardens has. They're using it as a common name without the trademark symbol, so I doubt that it's the same one.

so very much!