Arrow shoots florida

[Allyn T]

Outside of river cane what other arrow material is common in Florida?

[Trapper Rob]

Tim sent me some shaft's a couple of years ago I think he said they were a bamboo they made nice arrows.

[Allyn T]

I would definitely try bamboo if I found some

[Pat B]

If you can find Bambusa multiplex, it makes great arrows. The internodes are 12" apart so only 2 nodes per shaft. The culms are round with very little sulcus, thick walls and a small center hole. It's a clumping type bamboo so it isn't invasive. The clumps get to about 8' in diameter but that's over a long period of time. The culms grow to about 15' long and the shaft will come from the upper portion of the culm. The culms also make great cane poles and would probably work well for split bamboo fishing rods.
 This Bambusa only grows in warmer climates.
 Any shoot type shrubs will make arrows, some good and some better so go out and look to see what you can find. Yaupon holly or other shrub type hollies, maybe

[Allyn T]

Thanks Pat, I'm gonna get a plant guide when I get down there to make identification easier. I've never heard of the multiplex but it sounds awesome

[GlisGlis]

I guess you could find viburnum. It makes great shafts
It's often used as decorative shrubs. I can pick some good shaft from a park not far from home. Just have to pick one at a time and not a full bundle 

[archeryrob]

Invasive plants could be in the arrow such as Russian Olive and Privet.

[Pat B]

Privet makes very tough, heavy arrows and seems to grow everywhere.

[Allyn T]

I'll have to look up privit, is Russian olive the same as autumn olive?

[Pat B]

I think Russian and Autumn olive are the same genus but different specie. If you have access to autumn olive cut some shoots, bundle then and let them dry and give them a try.

[killir duck]

I tried russian olive a few years ago, made a very poor arrow, wouldn't stay straight and very week spine for it's heavy weight

[Allyn T]

I've thought of trying autumn olive but all the shoots I've seen are covered in tiny branches, knots the whole length

[Pat B]

Small branches shouldn't hurt the shaft. Cut them flush and sand the shaft smooth and give them a try.