| Ardisia crenata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Primulaceae |
| Genus: | Ardisia |
| Species: | A. crenata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ardisia crenata | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Ardisia crenata is a species of flowering plant in the primrose family, Primulaceae, that is native to East Asia. It is known by a variety of names such as Christmas berry, Australian holly, coral ardisia, coral bush, coralberry, coralberry tree, hen's-eyes, and spiceberry.[1][3] A. crenata is a compact shrub that reaches 1 metre (3.3 ft), often with a single stem. Leaves are dark green, thick, glossy, and have tightly waved edges The flowers are small, white or reddish, fragrant, and form clusters. The fruit is a glossy, bright red drupe. The seeds are able to germinate under a dense canopy and are dispersed by birds and humans.[4]
This invasive species was introduced to the United States in the early twentieth century as an ornamental species. It was observed to have escaped cultivation in 1982.[5]
Preparations made from the root of Ardisia crenata are used as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.[6]
- ^ a b "Ardisia crenata". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
- ^ Andrews Bot. Repos. 10(128–131): , pl. 623 1811
- ^ "Ardisia crenata", "Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk", 1999. Retrieved on 24 November 2012.
- ^ "Coral Berry (Ardisia crenata)". Shrubs & Scramblers. Bushland Friendly Nursery Scheme. Archived from the original on 2004-05-21. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
- ^ Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas Archived 2011-05-24 at the Wayback Machine University of Florida, 1998.
- ^ *School of Chinese Medicine database Archived October 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine