What type of plant is Nandina domestica typically recognized as?

Nandina domestica, commonly known as heavenly bamboo, is typically recognized as a shrub. This classification is due to its growth habit and structure. Shrubs are generally defined as woody plants that are smaller than trees, typically having multiple stems and a bushy appearance. Nandina domestica exhibits these characteristics, growing to a height of about 3 to 8 feet and developing dense, upright stems with a bushy foliage.

This plant is frequently used in landscaping for its attractive leaves, which can change color throughout the seasons, as well as its ornamental berries. Its ability to thrive in various conditions, its evergreen foliage, and its compact form further solidify its identity as a shrub rather than a tree, vine, or perennial. Unlike trees, which have a single main stem and a more towering structure, Nandina behaves more like a rounded cluster of stems typical of many shrub varieties.