Mendel’s Gardens

Nandina domestica

Heavenly Bamboo · Nandina · Sacred Bamboo

Family BerberidaceaeGenus Nandina

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Safety

Toxicity
High severity. Fruits, Leaves, Stems. Cyanogenic glycosides.

The plant

Habit
Broadleaf evergreenPlant Finder
Habit
Perennial, ShrubPLANTS Database
Height
3-8 ftPlant Finder
Height
8.0 ftPLANTS Database
Spread
2-4 ftPlant Finder
Flower
Showy; white with yellow anthersPlant Finder
Flower
WhitePLANTS Database
Blooms
JunePlant Finder
Blooms
Early SummerPLANTS Database
Native range
India to JapanPlant Finder
Hardiness zones
6-9Plant Finder
Note
Considered invasive in some areas -- check local law first. Tolerates drought and heavy shade.Plant Finder

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun to part shadePlant Finder
Sun
Shade tolerance: LowPLANTS Database
Soil
Average, medium moisture, well-drainedPlant Finder
Moisture
Moisture use: HighPLANTS Database
Watering
MediumPlant Finder

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plant Finder — Missouri Botanical Garden; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.

Protocol

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993
  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

    Seed collected in March in central Pennsylvania.

  2. Sow and cover

    Rotted in days. Deno suspects the winter had already killed it.

No stated waiting before sowing.

0% germination.

All of it rotted within days of being cleaned and wetted. Collect earlier than March.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, NandinaPublic domain
Show the original text
Nandina (Berberidaceae). N. domestica should perhaps be omitted from discussion because all seed rotted. The seed was collected in March in Central Pennsylvania. It is suspected that winter cold may have killed the seeds as they rotted in days after being cleaned and subjected to moisture.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Nandina. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.