Sacred Bamboo (Nandina Domestica) ナンテン（南天）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

The sacred bamboo (Nandina domestica) is native to China, came to Japan before the 16th century, and is now found across the country. The plant is called 'nanten' (南天) in Japanese—an abbreviation of Nantendjiku, meaning 'Southern India'—because it was believed to have come from there. The term nanten can also be written with the kanji 難転, which means 'turning away misfortune.' Because of this wordplay, the sacred bamboo is traditionally used in Japanese New Year decorations.

The sacred bamboo is known for its beautiful red berries, but its leaves also turn a gorgeous red from late autumn to winter.

2025/11/3

Nandina Domestica Alba (Nandina With Cream Yellow Berries) 白実南天（シロミナンテン）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These're the berries of nandina domestica alba. Nandina domestica usually produces bright red berries, but these small cream yellow berries are as pretty as the red ones, though in a different way. 

Interestingly, although these berries are cream yellow, the term "alba" means" white," and this is also true in Japan where the shrub is called shiromi nanten, meaning "white berry nandina." There're many nandina domestica shrubs with red berries, but in my neighborhood, this is the only shrub with cream yellow berries I've found so far.  

 Nandina domestica alba 黄南天

Sacred bamboo with cream yellow berries シロミナンテン