Japanese sacred bamboo (Nandina domestica)
Native to eastern Asia, Japanese sacred bamboo is considered
an environmental weed in NSW. This
species is currently of most concern in the wider Sydney and Blue Mountains
region in central New South Wales. It is currently not very widespread or
common, but its abundance and range is increasing. It is also an invasive weed
in large parts of south-eastern USA where it is displacing native vegetation.
Sacred
Bamboo is generally grown for its foliage which has colourful red and green leaves.
Small, white flowers are followed by red berries in autumn. It was a popular
planting around a certain takeaway at one time. Birds spread the berries into
bushland, and that is when it becomes a problem. Many reports also suggest that
the berries are toxic to a range of animals, including dogs, cats and cattle.
It has been known to kill birds when they gorge on the berries.
Control:
remove and bag the berries and place them in your red bin. The whole plant can
then be dug out and placed in the green bin.
Grow Me Instead
Honey myrtle Melaleuca linariifolia ‘Little Red’ A dense compact shrub
with small leaves and bright red new growth throughout the warmer months.
Dwarf
willow peppermint Agonis flexuosa ‘Nana' is a highly attractive, compact,
evergreen shrub that produces willow-like foliage with red new growth and small
white flowers in Spring.
