Sacred Bamboo

Sacred Bamboo, Nandina domestica

Sacred bamboo, Nandina domestica, is sometimes also known as heavenly bamboo or simply as nandina. It is a semi-evergreen woody shrub that can reach 2.5 m (8 ft) in height. While visually similar to bamboo, sacred bamboo is within the family Berberidaceae rather than the grass family Poaceae like bamboo. It blooms white flowers which become red berries that persist until consumed. It tolerates drought and shade, but this non-native shrub, introduced from Asia in the early 1800s, has become very invasive in many southern states including Texas and Florida.