Chinese Sacred Bamboo

Nandina domestica (nan-DEE-nuh doh-MESS-tik-a)

Family: Berberidaceae Non-native Shrub (3-15 ft)

This plant is problematic, and alternatives or non-fruiting cultivars should be considered. Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column. Heavenly bamboo is a commonly cultivated ornamental upright evergreen shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae). It is a native of central and southern China and Japan. In the early 1800s, this plant was introduced to North America. The genus name, Nandina , is the Latin form of the Japanese name for this plant, Nanten . The specific epithet, domestica , means domesticated or of home sites. This plant flowers in the late spring and has ornamental fruits in the fall that persist through the winter months. The new growth is reddish, but the fall foliage of most cultivars is not dependable and varies in one plant seasonally and annually. The plant can be pruned, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit will appear on new growth. The leaves and berries may be toxic to humans, livestock, horses, cats, dogs, and birds. A recent study in Georgia has linked overconsumption of the berries by Cedar Waxwings to their deaths by cyanide toxicity. All parts contain cyanide and when consumed in quantity can be toxic. Quick ID Hints: Terminal cluster of bright red berries. Medium evergreen shrub with cane-like growth. Bipinnately or tripinnately compound leaves, 1 to 2 feet long. Reddish new growth and fall foliage. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: This shrub has no serious insect or disease problems. Because heavenly bamboo is listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council and is toxic if ingested by pets or children, please see the alternatives listed to the left. Consider planting ‘Fire Power’ or 'Gulf Stream', which are sterile (non-fruiting) cultivars of heavenly bamboo, or perhaps an ornamental shrub native to North Carolina, such as the American beautyberry , buttonbush , native viburnums or winterberry . VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 68 attributes.