E. Asia, Himalayas to Japan
"Sacred bamboo seeds are dispersed by birds , reviews by, personal communication) such as northern mockingbirds, northern cardinals, cedar waxwings, and American robins (review by), and mammals (reviews by, personal communication) including the Virginia opossum (review by), northern raccoon (review by, personal communication), and rodents (personal communication). They may also be dispersed by water.
Several sources report that sacred bamboo may replace native species , reviews by, personal communications), though some managers report that native plant exclusion has not occurred as of 2009.
Sacred bamboo fruits are edible to birds and mammals." [1]
"Sacred bamboo is a popular ornamental plant. It has been cultivated for the medicinal properties of its leaves and berries. The aromatic twigs may be used as toothpicks or toothbrushes. Preparation of the whole plant is used as an herbal pesticide to control aphids in China." [1]
"Sacred bamboo foliage and fruit are poisonous to some animals. Sacred bamboo foliage contains cyanogenic glycosides, which are poisonous to all animals, particularly ruminants. Small amounts of foliage are hazardous to cattle, and animals may become comatose 5 to 10 minutes after the first signs of poisoning appear. A puppy had a seizure after eating sacred bamboo foliage. Sacred bamboo berries are toxic to cats and some grazing animals." [1]
Stone, Katharine R. 2009. Nandina domestica. In: Fire Effects Information System,. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/nandom/all.html.
