• 22 JmjC (Jumonji C) genes were identified in moso bamboo. • The expressions of JmjC genes were strongly affected by ABA and MeJA treatment. • The majority of JmjC genes were highly expressed in shoot. PH02Gene32673.t1 was specifically expressed in inflorescences. Jumonji C (JmjC)-domain-containing proteins can demethylate histones in plants, and play a vital role in flowering and stress responses. The systematic analysis of JmjC genes was carried out in several species, but has not been reported in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis). In this study, 22 putative JmjC genes were identified in moso bamboo, and were classified into four distinct subfamilies based on sequences similarity among Arabidopsis, rice and moso bamboo. Furthermore , an uneven distribution on chromosome and structure feature of JmjC genes were discovered. All JmjC genes in moso bamboo contain a typical JmjC domain, and some of them also have other important functional domains. Additionally, cis -acting elements related to hormone, abiotic stress and light were found in the promoter region of JmjC genes. Several JmjC genes were regulated under abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. Organ expression profiles of JmjC genes displayed that most of them were highly expressed in shoot, suggesting their important functions in moso bamboo fast growth. Overall, our study provided valuable information for understanding the evolution of the moso bamboo JmjC gene family and will lay a foundation for future research on the function of the JmjC gene in moso bamboo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]