Nandina Research Articles

Consumer Perceptions of Plant Quality

Plant quality has been identified as one of the most important factors in determining where retail customers shop and which plants they buy. A better understanding of what customers actually mean by “plant quality” can enhance the industry's ability to give customers what they want, and improve the competitive position of individual nursery/garden center businesses. Five common woody ornamentals—flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), red maple (Acer rubrum), azalea (Rhododendron spp.), nandina (Nandina domestica) and `Compacta' holly (Ilex crenata `Compacta')—were selected for a three-part study of consumer perceptions of plant quality. The first component of the study was comprised of three focus groups, conducted during Summer 1995 in New Bern, N.C., and Fall 1996 in Raleigh, N.C. The purpose of the focus groups was to learn more about the specific quality attributes customers use in evaluating trees and shrubs in the garden center. The second component consisted of five different intercept surveys conducted in 1997 and 1998 in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. Purchase intent, rank order, paired comparison, dollar metric and constant sum scales, accompanied by photographs of plant material, were used to interview retail customers in independently-owned garden centers. These studies focused primarily on azaleas and dogwoods. The third component was a hedonic study focusing on azaleas and `Compacta' holly, conducted in the Raleigh, N.C., area in Apr. 1998. Using standard regression analysis techniques, hedonics examines prices and levels of selected attributes to provide an estimate of the marginal implicit price a consumer is willing to pay for an additional unit of a particular attribute.

On phytogeographical affinities of the forest floras between east China and Japan

The flora of the eastern China is the main part of Sino-Japanese floristic region. It shows from the analysis and comparison that the floristic relation of East China with Japan is closer than that with northeast China and Korea. The similarity indices of genera and species of seed plants in the two regions are very high, being 72.6% and 43.3% respectively. The structure and species composition of broad-leaved evergreen forests in the two regions are also similar, and there exist many corresponding communities, such as the forests of Castanopsis carlesii and C. sieboldii. Many plants in East China are conspecific with those in Japan, such as Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Magnolia sieboldii, Nandina domestica etc. Though the genera of Ginkgo, Liriodendron, Sassafras etc. existing now in China are extinct from Japan, their fossils have been discovered from the Tertiary strata in Japan. It seems to indicate that the phytogeographical affinities between East China and Japan are closer in ancient time than it is now, and both of the forest floras originated from the same flora. The flora in Japan did not evolve independently until it separated from Chinese continent and drifted northeastwards in the late period of the Tertiary.

Phytogeographical affinities of forest floras between China and Japan

The flora of eastern China is the main part of Sino-Japanese floristic region. It shows by the analysis and comparison that the floristic relations of Eastern China with Japan are closer than that of northeast China with Korea. The similarity indices of genera and species of seed plants in the two regions are very high, being 72.6% and 43.3% respectively. The structure and species composition of broad-leaved evergreen forests in the two regions are also similar, in which there exist the corresponding communities, such as the forests of Castanopsis carlesii, C. Sieboldii.. Many plants in Easter China are nonspecific with those in Japan, e. g, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Magolia sieboldii, Nandina domestica etc.. Though the genera Ginkgo, Liriodendron, Sassafras etc. existing now in China are extinct from Japan, their fossils have been discovered from the Tertiary Strata in Japan. It seems to indicate that the phytogeographical affinities between Japan and E. China was closer in ancient time than it is now; and both of the forest floras originated from one same flora, The flora in Japan did not evolve independently until it separated from Chinese continent and drifted to northeast in the late period of the Tertiary.

Japanese Garden Plants in Residential Yards in Honolulu, Hawaii: A Transported Landscape

This study explores the relationship between humans and plant communities in residential yards in urbanized neighborhoods on the island of Oahu, Hawaii by examining how Japanese ornamental garden plants and style have been transported by Japanese immigrants and their descendants to Hawaii, and what has happened to the plants and style in the multicultural society of Hawaii. The history of immigrants to Hawaii and the characteristics of Japanese gardens are summarized as background. The study, comparing the frequency of Japanese garden plants found in literature on Japanese ornamental gardens and gardening and 150 randomly selected residential front yards in Honolulu, shows that the Japanese plants and style were not transported as a whole, most likely because many popular Japanese garden plants do not thrive in the Hawaiian climate, and also possibly because of the difference in the framework and underlying philosophy of a garden between Japanese and American traditions. The part transported comprises some hardy plant species which thrive in the tropical climate, including sacred bamboo ( Nandina domestica Thunb.), cycad ( Cycas revoluta Thunb.), and Oriental hawthorn ( Rhaphiolepis umbellata (Thunb.) Mak.); and a few ideas such as grouped rocks, a stone lantern, and neatly trimmed shrubs. The maintenance and diffusion of the transported Japanese garden traditions were evident in the multicultural society of Hawaii. Although the transported Japanese garden elements make up a rather small portion of the entire garden, they do lend a distinctive Japanese flavor to the front yards of some of the Japanese residents, possibly as a display of group identity.

First Report of Powdery Mildew on Nandina domestica (Berberi-daccae) in Edinburgh (UK)

First Report of Powdery Mildew on Nandina domestica (Berberi-daccae) in Edinburgh (UK)

Two Nandina domestica Cultivars Perform Well as Interior Foliage Plants in Market Evaluations

Tissue-cultured plugs of Nandina domestica Thunb. `Hat-hour Dwarf' and `San Gabriel' were grown in 1.5-liter pots under 30%, 47%, or 62% shade. After 20 weeks, plants were moved to a simulated consumer environment (SCE) maintained at 21C, ≈60% relative humidity, and a 12-hour photoperiod with an irradiance of 7 μmol·m -2·s-1. Final quality ratings (after 35 weeks in the SCE) for both cultivars were good, but the plant quality of `San Gabriel' declined more quickly than that of `Harbour Dwarf'. Final quality rating of `Harbour Dwarf' grown under the highest percentage of shade was higher than that of plants grown under 30% or 47% shade; production shade percentages had no influence on the final quality rating of `San Gabriel'. Plants (of both cultivars) grown in 0.6-liter (11-cm-diameter) pots were test-marketed through six supermarket floral departments and captured 16% of total 10- to 11-cm-size foliage plant sales. Sixty percent of consumers indicated the plant's “newness” as the primary consideration for its purchase. These two N. domestica cultivars could be marketed successfully as interior foliage plants.

Promotion of Branching in Nandina (Nandina domestica Thunb.) ‘Harbour Dwarf’ with ASC-66952

Abstract Axillary and aerial rhizomic shoot development of Nandina domestica Thunb. ‘Harbour Dwarf’ was promoted by a single foliar application of 25-200 ppm ASC-66952. Chlorosis of immature leaflets occurred within 2 weeks of 100 or 200 ppm treatment, but was not present 4 weeks after treatment. Growth indices [(height + width in perpendicular directions) ÷ 3] of treated plants were 2-10% less than those of non-treated control plants. Ilex × Meserveae S.Y. Hu. ‘Blue Girl’, Ilex × ‘Nellie R. Stevens’, Rhododendron ‘George L. Tabor’, Rhododendron ‘Trouper’, Trachelospermum asiaticum (Siebold & Zucc.) Nakai, and Viburnum × pragense Hort. were not affected by application of ASC-66952.

Tolerance of Nineteen Species of Container Grown Landscape Plants to Postemergence Applications of Basagran

Abstract Nineteen container grown landscape species were evaluated for tolerance to postemergence (topical) applications of Basagran (bentazon) at 1.1 and 2.2 kg ai/ha (1 and 2 lb ai/A). Visual injury ratings were made at 14 and 37 days after treatment and growth measurements at the end of the study. Both rates of Basagran were phytotoxic to Amagasa Azalea (Rhododendron satsuki ‘Amagasa’), Crimson Pygmy Barberry (Berberis thunbergii D.C. ‘Crimson Pygmy’), Coral Beauty Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri C.K. ‘Coral Beauty’), Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica Thunb.) and Holmstrup Arbovitae (Thuja occidentalis L. ‘Homstrup’) 14 days after treatment. Azalea and Heavenly Bamboo treated with the low rate recovered from the earlier injury by 37 days after treatment. Sasanqua Camellia (Camellia sasanqua Thunb. ‘Cleopatra’), Rotunda Holly (Ilex cornuta Lindl. and Paxt. ‘Rotunda’) and Schellings Dwarf Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria Ait. ‘Schellings’), Hetzi Blue Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis L. ‘Hetzi I. Glauca’), and Wax-Leaf Privet (Ligustrum japonicum Thunb.) exhibited no visual damage or growth reduction. The remaining species were injured to differing degrees.

Overwintering Container-grown Nursery Crops: Plant, Air and Medium Thermal Response to Porous Row Covers

Abstract Three structureless row covers (white, spunbonded polyester and two weights of white, spunbonded polypropylene) were evaluated for winter protection of container grown ‘Helleri’ holly (Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’), ‘Atropurpurea Nana’ nandina (Nandina domestica ‘Atropurpurea Nana’), Fraser photinia (Photinia × fraseri), and ‘Mohave’ pyracantha (Pyracantha Koidzumii × coccinea ‘Mohave’) relative to white copolymer film and white copolymer backed thermoblanket over quonset-shaped structures and an unprotected control. Air and rooting medium temperatures were monitored during the deployment period. Visual foliar injury ratings were taken immediately after treatments were removed and again four months later. Visual shoot injury ratings were correlated with the mean daily average and the mean daily minimum temperature of air and rooting medium within each treatment. Both polypropylene covers provided protection for plants in the interior of a consolidated group equivalent to white poly and the thermoblanket for all species except Pyracantha. Porous row covers are a feasible alternative to standard protection systems.

Chemically Induced Branching of Woody Landscape Plants

Abstract Axillary budbreak of Ilex Crenata Thunb. ‘Helleri’ and ‘Ilex vomitoria’ Ait. ‘Stoke's Dwarf’ hollies was promoted by a single BA (N-(phenylmethyl)-1H-purin-6-amine) application of 125–1000 ppm compared to an unpruned control. Budbreak of Photinia × Fraseri Dress was stimulated by 500–2500 ppm BA and 2000–5000 ppm Promalin (BA + GA4+7). Budbreak in Nandina domestica Thunb. ‘Harbour Dwarf’ increased with 1000–2500 ppm BA and 2000–5000 ppm Promalin application. Budbreak of Rhododendron × ‘Formosa’ azalea was promoted by 2000 and 2500 ppm BA and 2000–5000 ppm Promalin. Axillary budbreak of Ternstroemia gymnanthera (Wight & Arn.) T. Sprague) and Raphiolepis indica (L.) Lindl. was not affected by BA or Promalin application.

Field Evaluation of Preemergence Herbicides for Weed Control In Container Grown Woody Landscape Plants

Abstract Four preemergence herbicide combinations were evaluated for weed control and phytotoxicity on Silverberry (Elaeagnus pungens Thunb.), Spanish bayonet (Yucca aloifolia L.), and Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica Thunb.), grown in 3.8 1 (1 gal) containers under commercial nursery conditions. Combinations of Rout (oxytluorfen : oryzalin) and Rout GL (oxytluorfen : alachlor) were applied as granules at 1.12 : 0.56, 2.24 : 1.12 and 4.48 : 2.24 and 1.12 : 1.12, 2.24 : 2.24, and 4.48 : 4.48 kg ai/ha (1.0 : 05, 2.0 : 1.0, and 4.0 : 2.0 and 1.0 : 1.0, 2.0 : 2.0 and 4.0 : 4.0 lb ai/A), resp. Harness (acetochlor) was applied as a foliar spray at 1.68, 3.36 and 6.68 kg ai/ha (1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 lb ai/A) and Zorial (norflurazon) was applied at 1.12, 2.24 and 4.48 kg ai/ha (1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 lb ai/A) as a soil drench. Containers were overseeded with a weed mixture prior to herbicide application and six weeks later to induce extreme weed competition in containers. Harness, Rout GL and Rout provided 90–100% control for up to 14 weeks after application at the highest rates evaluated. Zorial resulted in unsatisfactory weed control. None of the herbicides caused any phytotoxic effects on any of the plants tested.

Seasonal frost tolerance of some ornamental evergreen broad-leaved and coniferous tree and shrub species

Abstract The seasonal frost hardiness of several ornamental species was evaluated by exposing intact plants to controlled advective frost conditions in spring, midsummer, autumn, and midwinter. Cultivars of the evergreen broad-leaved species Camellia japonica, Daphne odora, Desfontainea spinosa, Grevillea × gaudi-chaudi, Hardenbergia violacea, Hypericum × moserianum, Nandina domestica, and Photinia serrulata × glabra ‘Rubens’ all developed limited winter frost hardiness with the most hardy (Camellia and Photinia) being killed at temperatures below-17°C. Generally, evergreen broad-leaved species from northern zones were more tolerant than Australasian species. Of the ornamental conifers examined, Cupressus macrocarpa was only moderately hardy in winter, being injured by temperatures lower than-8°C and killed below-14°C, whereas Juniperus chinensis tolerated temperatures down to-19°C without injury. The summer frost tolerance of all of these species was similar and all were injured or killed by temperatures in the-1 to-5°C range. Yucca filamentosa, a species with a xerophytic morphology, was damaged at-13°C but survived-17°C in summer and was not injured by winter temperatures down to-17°C. Lethal temperature values obtained in the controlled environment evaluations generally agreed well with hardiness zone ratings.

Alkaloids of tissue cultures of Nandina domestica

From tissue cultures of Nandina domestica, 12 protoberberine alkaloids and magnoflorine were identified. The alkaloids were compared with the alkaloids obtained from other tissue cultures from the chemotaxonomic point of view

Serotonergic Receptor Antagonist from Nandina domestica Thunberg

A crude methanolic extract of the fruit of Nandina domestica Thunberg strongly inhibits serotonin-induced contractions of the rabbit aorta. The extract of the fruit has been fractionated to afford nantenine (O-methyldomesticine) as the active agent.

Nandinin: An acylated free cyanohydrin from Nandina domestica

The leaves of Nandina domestica have yielded a new cyanogenic compound, characterized here as the 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) −2-propenoic acid 4′-ester of 4-(β- d-glucopyranosyloxy)-α-hydroxybenzeneacetonitrile.

In Vitro Propagation of Nandina domestica

Abstract Lateral and terminal buds from Nandina domestica Thunb. ‘Purpurea’ (dwarf nandina) developed into shoots on a basal medium (Gamborg’s B5 modified salts, sucrose, activated charcoal, and agar) supplemented with 0.1 mg/liter naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 1 mg/liter 6-benzylamino purine (BA). Shoot multiplication rates of 4–5 per 6–8 weeks could be obtained by transfer to the same medium without charcoal. Shoots were rooted by transfer onto a 1/3-strength Murashige and Skoog medium containing activated charcoal. Rooted plants were successfully established in a sphagnum peatmoss–perlite mix.

Identification and Partial Characterization of a Closterovirus InfectingNandina domestica

Identification and Partial Characterization of a Closterovirus Infecting<i>Nandina domestica</i>

On the analysis of the alkaloids of Nandina domestica Thunb. using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (author's transl)

On the analysis of the alkaloids of Nandina domestica Thunb. using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (author's transl)

Studies on the alkaloids of berberidaceous plants. XXXIV. Alkaloids of Nandina domestica Thunb. (8)

Isocorydine (V) was newly isolated as an alkaloid of the fruit of Nandina domestica THUNB. Demethylation of O-methyldomesticine (I), the major alkaloid of this plant, was carried out and it was found that dl-domesticine is obtained when 36% hydrobromic acid is used and d-domesticine (II) when pyridine hydrochloride and sodium thioethoxide are used for this reaction.

Studies on the identification, biosynthesis and metabolism of a cyanogenic glucoside in Nandina domestica Thunb.

The occurrence of a new cyanogenic glucoside, p-glucosyloxymandelonitrile, in young shoots of Nandina domestica Thunb. is reported. The amount of the cyanogen varies from 10–20 per cent of the dry weight in young shoots. The administration of 14C labelled [ 14C]tyrosine shows that this amino acid is effectively incorporated into the aldehyde and nitrile moieties. Though no intermediates have been established, experimental evidence indicates that the C αC β bond of tyrosine remains intact during conversion. The nitrile moiety is further metabolized and is incorporated into the amide carbon of asparagine.