November is the month to see the splendid berries of the nanten (Nandina domesticus), or Heavenly Bamboo, widely grown in Asia as an ornamental in gardens, but highly invasive in many other regions of the world. It is extremely toxic (hydrogen cyanide!) to birds, small mammals.

And there is an architecture/sustainability connection of course! Nanten was often planted next to toilets and outhouses, where it would overshadow a traditional chouzubachi (stone water bowl) placed with a ladle to give guests a way to wash their hands with clean rainwater...

...the plant was so toxic that when rainwater fell off the leaves and into the stone bowl the water would become naturally antibacterial. Or so it is said. I believe it has never been scientifically studied. Beauty and function, as one.