Q. Are
the berries of Heavenly Bamboo poisonous?
A. Heavenly
Bamboo is the mis-leading name of Nandina domestica, a member of the
Berberidaceae Family from Asia. Mis-leading, as the plant is not a bamboo, nor
in some states are some of its attributes very heavenly. Nandinas are common
landscape plants in this area, tolerant of most soils, sun and shade. Their
tri-pinnately compound leaves are lacy in appearance, green in summer and
shades of red in winter. The leaves remain all year, white panicles of small flowers
bloom in the spring, and cluster of red berries appearing in winter. The larger plants can reach to 8’ in height,
while lower varieties may stay around 12” The plants spread by rhizomaceous
suckers, slowly creating large colonies. Nandina tends not to be eaten by deer,
which is an indication that the plants might be toxic.
Cyanide
poisoning has occurred when livestock have eaten the berries, although birds
eat the berries without concern. Keep them away from young children or those
who might find the attractive bright red fruit interesting enough to put into
their mouths. If the plants are in an area where young children might have
access to the attractive red fruit, prune off the flower panicles after the
spring bloom for several years. The berries have been used in holiday
decorations, where they should be kept away from little fingers. Domestic pets
do not seem to be attracted to the fruit.
This
plant has hit the invasive plant list in a number of states. It has not been
identified as a problem yet in California, but keep a careful watch. If you see
Nandina suckers appearing in areas where they are not desired, the plant may be
spreading out of bounds. Nandina cultivars are available, providing height and
foliage colors options. A few of the better known cultivars are : ‘Atropupurea
Nana,’ 'Filamentosa' ,’Harbour Dwarf’, ‘ Firepower’,’ Moon Bay’ and ‘Gulf
Stream’.