heavenly bamboo

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese-bamboo
• heavenly-bamboo
• sacred-bamboo
• southern heaven-bamboo
• Heavenly bamboo
• Sacred bamboo

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nandina domestica f. gigantea
• Nandina domestica f. purpurea
• Nandina denudata
• Nandina domestica var. longifolia
• Nandina domestica var. linearifolia
• Nandina domestica alba
• Nandina tsermonanten
• Nandina domestica f. alba
• Nandina domestica f. longifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Nandina domestica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Ranunculales. Finally, it is a member of the Berberidaceae family within the genus Nandina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Asia and Europe. In China, its presence is noted throughout the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Moving eastward, the species is also naturally occurring within Japan as part of Eastern Asia. Furthermore, its range extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically within the country of Italy. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to inhabit various climates across the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Nandina domestica is characterized by a highly specific vertical distribution within its native habitat, exhibiting a remarkably precise elevational range. This species is documented to occur at a consistent altitude, with a minimum, mean, and maximum elevation all converging at 1200 m AMSL. Such a narrow ecological niche suggests that the plant is specifically adapted to the particular climatic conditions, atmospheric pressures, and temperature profiles found at this exact height above mean sea level.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Nandina domestica is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence in its environment. As it undergoes its various stages of development, its growth patterns can be considered variable depending on environmental conditions and cultivation practices. During its establishment phase, the plant develops a robust woody structure that supports continuous growth over many years. Its life cycle involves seasonal transitions where it produces lush green foliage that may change color with temperature shifts, followed by the development of white flowers and subsequent bright red berries. Because it is a perennial, it does not die after a single flowering event but instead enters periods of regrowth, utilizing stored energy in its rhizomatous root system to ensure survival and long-term expansion within its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Nandina domestica is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily functioning as a self-supporting shrub. As a terrestrial plant, it grows independently without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 2.2 meters, though its size can vary significantly, ranging from a minimum height of 1 meter to a maximum of 3 meters. Its structural habit is strictly self-supporting, lacking the climbing or vining tendencies found in lianas or facultative climbers.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2.2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Nandina domestica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying light environments. The vegetative growth and structural development of the plant are closely linked to its leaf morphology, where the leaves exhibit significant dimensional variation. The leaf length typically follows a distribution ranging from a minimum of 30 cm to a maximum of 50 cm, with an average leaf length of approximately 40 cm. This variation in leaf size plays a critical role in the plant's ability to manage transpiration rates and light interception during its physiological development.

Leaf length max:

50 cm

Leaf length mean:

40 cm

Leaf length min:

30 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Nandina domestica is characterized by the production of small, delicate flowers arranged in inflorescences that range in length from 0.2 m to 0.35 m. Each individual flower typically measures between 0.6 cm and 0.7 cm in length. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit classified as a berry, which is indehiscent in nature. These berries vary in width, with a minimum measurement of 0.5 cm, a maximum of 0.8 cm, and a mean width of 0.75 cm. Contained within the fruit are seeds with a consistent mass of 0.0046 g (representing both the minimum, maximum, and mean values). The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they are primarily spread by animals.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower length max:

0.7 cm

Flower length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.75 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.35 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.2 m

Seed mass mean:

0.0046 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Nandina domestica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Chemicals

Nandina domestica has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-Nantenine, (-)-Episyringaresinol, Amentoflavone, Ash, Dehydronantenine.

(+)-Nantenine

1. Infectious disorders drug targets

(-)-Episyringaresinol

1. Dr. Duke

Amentoflavone

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

Dehydronantenine

1. Dr. Duke

Domesticine

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

HCN

1. Dr. Duke

Isoboldine

1. Dr. Duke

Isocorydine

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Nandina domestica has 257 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (+)-Inotropic, ACE-Inhibitor, Abortifacient, Acidulant, Adrenolytic.

(+)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenolytic

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Amebicide

1. Dr. Duke

Amphicholeretic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations