Volunteers Needed!
Invasive Species:
Nandina (Nandina domestica) or “Heavenly Bamboo”
by Jamie Nobles
Invasive plants are non-native plants that cause harm to the environment. They commonly grow fast, have rapid reproduction, high dispersal rates, and are tolerant of a wide range of environments.
Nandina or Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica) is an invasive plant that grows as a shrub up to 8 feet tall and has multiple bushy stems that resemble bamboo. It has glossy bipinnately compound green or reddish leaves and bright-red berries in the fall and winter. Nandina is shade tolerant and spreads rapidly under forest canopy or near edges. The red berries are often dispersed by animals. Many birds including Cedar Waxwings, Northern Mockingbirds, and American Robins will eat these red berries, especially when other food sources are not available. However, the berries contain cyanide that can be toxic to birds and other animals.
Nandina is seen around the mountain along many of our trails— most notably along the Quarry trail, Trillium trail, and Nature trail. In order to prevent the next offspring of nandina from propagating, the berries can be removed, and discarded. This will not affect the main plant and there are other control measures that can be taken like mechanical removal or herbicide treatment.
How do you get rid of Nandina?
At home:
Don’t plant Nandina. (Ha)
Remove prior plantings including seeds and seedlings from your landscape or garden.
If used as an ornamental planting - collect and discard the fruit.
At Ruffner:
Remove red berries of Nandina along trail edges and place them in a bag to be discarded in the trash.
Be careful if wandering off-trail to collect Nandina berries as there are many potential hazards off the trail. Stay within sight of the trail at all times. Be sure to wash your hands after handling the berries.
Please let us know which trails you've covered and when. You can find our invasive plant removal instructions, supplies, and sign- up sheet at the South Eastlake trailhead. Be sure to tag your photos on Instagram using the hashtag - #ruffnerinvasiveremoval