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sacred bamboo USDA PLANTS Symbol: NADO
USDA ARS GRIN: 25015
ITIS: 18848
NAPIS: PAPADBA
Nandina domestica Thunb.
Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Ranunculales: Berberidaceae
Synonym(s): heavenly bamboo, nanten

Sacred bamboo invades forests throughout the Southeast United States. It is a small, erect shrub that grows up to 8 ft. (2.4 m) tall. Leaves are alternate, large, bi- or tri-pinnately compound with small, 1-2 in. (2.5-5.1 cm) long leaflets. Flowering occurs in the spring, when small, white flowers develop in large panicles at the ends of the stems. Flowers have 3-6 reflexed petals. Fruits are green berries that mature to a bright red. The older stems have bark with long, linear furrows. The overlapping leaf sheaths give the main stem the appearance of bamboo, hence the name. Sacred bamboo is shade tolerant, which allows it to invade forest edges and interiors. It is native to eastern Asia and India and was first introduced to North America in the early 1800s. It has been planted widely as an ornamental and often escapes from old plantings.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources


Selected Images from Invasive.orgView All Images at Invasive.org


Plant(s); Young Plant
Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Twig(s)/Shoot(s); August
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Feature(s); woody stem in September
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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Foliage; in December
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Flower(s); in June
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Flower(s); May
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Fruit(s); immature fruits
Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Fruit(s);
Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Fruit(s);
Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Fruit(s); December
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Plant(s); May
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Plant(s); Fruiting plant in March
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Plant(s);
Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Seed(s);
Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Taxonomic References:

  • USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Invasive Listing Sources:



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