Nandina

Nandina

Nandina domestica

Invasive Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Plantae
Abundance: Abundant
Habitat: Forest, Urban

Also known as Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina is a common landscape plant that is now listed as invasive in much of the Southeast. It is made up of numerous, usually unbranched stems growing from ground level. Its petiolate leaves are compound (two or three pinnacles) with leaflets, that are elliptical or lanceolate. This plant flowers in the late spring and has bright red berries in the fall that persist through the winter months. A recent study in Georgia has linked overconsumption of the berries by Cedar Waxwings to their deaths by cyanide toxicity.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Berberidaceae
Genus: Nandina
Species: Nandina domestica

Scientific Name

Nandina domestica
Plant Type
Shrub
Foliage
Evergreen
Invasive Status
This is an invasive species

Ecological Role

Nandina is extremely toxic to birds and mammals. Invasive plants also displace our native plants that provide habitat and forage for animals and insect.

Habitat Types

Forest
Urban

Geographic Distribution

Native to eastern Asia from the Himalayas to Japan. Nandina is considered invasive in Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida.

Local Abundance

Abundant

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

Invasive Species Alert

This is an invasive species that can harm local ecosystems. Report sightings to local conservation authorities.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
  • Remove this species from your property if found
  • Avoid planting or spreading this species

Additional Notes

In order to help stop its spread, it should be avoided in residential landscaping and flagged for removal in wild areas

Contribute Your Observations

Have you spotted this species? Your observations help us track populations and understand behavior patterns.

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