Taxonomic name: Ardisia crenata Sims
Synonyms: Ardisia crenulata (Lodd.), Ardisia crenulata G. Lodd.
Common names: arbre à noél (French), arbre de noel (French-Reunion (La Réunion)), ardisie crénelée (French), Australian holly (English), baie corail (French), bois de noel (French-Reunion (La Réunion)), Christmas berry (English), coral ardisia (English), coral berry (English), coral berry tree (English), coral bush (English), Gewürzbeere (German), hen's eyes (English), Hilo holly (English), koraalbessieboom (Afrikaans), scratchthroat (English), spiceberry (English), Spitzenblume (German), zhu sha gen (Chinese)
Organism type: shrub Ardisia crenata is an ornamental, cultivated for its very decorative red fruit, but it is easily naturalised and has become highly invasive in mesic forests in several regions of the world (e.g. Mascarene Islands, Hawaii, Seychelles) where it causes a reduction in the presence and diversity of native understorey plant species. Its fruit is easily spread by indigenous or introduced birds. Description
Ardisia crenata is a small erect evergreen shrub up to 1.5m tall, growing in multistemmed clumps with only flowering branches. Leaves alternate to 21cm long and 1-4cm wide, dark green above, waxy, glaborous with 12 to 18 pairs of lateral nerves, merging into a distinct marginal nerve which is slighty raised below. Flowering branches lateral or axillary clusters, up to 10cm long with few leaves. Flowers are small, bisexual, white to pink, often drooping below foliage. Petaloid components pinkish white, anthers yellow. Fruit is a red, glaborous 1 seeded drupe, 5-8 mm in diameter. Populations with white berries also exist (Langeland, 2007; PIER, 2007; Sellers, 2007). Occurs in:
natural forests, planted forests, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed Habitat description
Ardisia crenata thrives in the understory of mesic forests, often found in dense patches containing between 100 and 300 stems per m2 (Kitajima, 2006; Langeland, 2007). General impacts
Considered a high risk invasive in many areas, Ardisia crenata often invades the understory of mesic forests from areas where it is planted or cultivated for ornamental purposes. Ardisia crenata can significantly reduce native species diversity when present, regardless of density. It significantly increases shade in understories, often shading out native seedlings. While there is no published data supporting the theory that A. crenata is poisonous, it is suspected to be the agent of death of livestock in two seperate cases in Florida (Langeland, 2007; Sellers, 2007). Uses
Ardisia crenata is cultivated and planted in many countries as an ornamental shrub (PIER, 2007). Notes
A recent study comparing wild genotypes of Ardisia crenata within its native range in Japan with the genotype currently invading north central Florida concluded that traits selected for the ornamental cultivar may increase its pervasiveness in non-native habitat. Cultivar phenotypes found in Florida have dense foliage, compared to those found in Japan, which produces greater self shading and a slower growth rate. Dense foliage is more adventageous in the more open forests of Florida due to light availabiltiy. One area of the study revealed that very few seedlings were found growing within a 1 metre radius of adult plants for the Japanese genotypes, 5 or less, while up to 631 seedlings were found within a 1 metre radius of adult plants for the Florida genotypes. The thick carpet of seedlings found beneath adult plants can out compete native plants such as wildflowers (Kitajima, 2006). Geographical range
Native range: China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Viet Nam.
Known introduced range: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Mauritius, La Réunion, Seychelles, USA. (PIER, 2007; USDA-ARS 2008; ITIS, 2007) Management information
Preventative measures: A Risk Assessment of Ardisia crenata for Hawaii and other Pacific islands was prepared by Dr. Curtis Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service. The result is a score of 7 and a recommendation of: "reject the plant for import (Australia) or species likely to be of high risk (Pacific)." Management areas should be closely monitored for presence and frequency of Ardisia crenata. It should be subject to inter-island quarantine or banned from importation to non-native locations. A. Crenata is already barred from importation into French Polynesia (Space and Flynn, 2002). Eradication is most effective when performed within first 1 to 2 years of presence before seed production begins (Langeland, 2007). Physical: Hand pulling seedlings is effective where soil disturbance is acceptable (PIER, 2007). Chemical: Chemical application of glyphosphate can be used on dense populations while larger, individual specimens may be cut down and stumps treated with herbicide or treated with a basal application of triclopyr. Suppresion may be accomplished through complete foliar applications of 5% v/v of Garlon 4 or Remedy. Garlon 4 or Remedy can be applied to the basal bark in an 18% v/v solution, applying no more than 8 quarts per acre and/or less than 10% of total grazed area when applying more than 2 quarts per acre. Always follow labeling instructions when applying herbicides (PIER, 2007; Sellers, 2007). Nutrition
Ardisia crenata thrives in productive, well drained soils with partial to heavy shade in the understory of mesic forests (PIER, 2007; Langeland, 2007). Growth rates of A. crenata have been positively correlated with soil phosphorus levels (Bray, 2003). Reproduction
Angiosperm, dicotyledonous. Sexual. Easily propogated by seed or cutting, only established by seed in the wild. Reaches reproductive maturity around 20cm in height when lateral branches start developing. Vivaciously resprouts after cutting or fire. Each drupe contains one seed inside a fleshy membrane (Kitajima, 2006; Langeland, 2007). Lifecycle stages
Ardisia crenata reaches sexual maturity around 20cm in height when lateral branches start developing. Each lateral branch lives for two years, producing vegetation in the first year and flowers and fruit in the second year. Shoot extension and leaf production are generally limited to July through September after flowering. Seeds are intollerant to dessication. Viable seeds retained through out the year on the plant. Seeds have the ability to germinate within a range of 4 to 10 of soil pH, with germination rates of 84 to 98 percent within 40 days (Kitajima, 2006; Langeland, 2007). Reviewed by: Forest Starr and Kim Starr, Botanical Research Associates United States Geological Survey Biological Resources Division Makawao, Maui, Hawaii USA
Dr Rachel Atkinson, Charles Darwin Foundation, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Principal sources: Langeland, K.A. and Burks, K.C. 2007. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Ardisia crenata
Kitajima, K. and Fox, A. M. and Sato, T. and Nagamatsu, D. 2006. Cultivar selection prior to introduction may increase invasiveness: evidence from Ardisia crenata.
Sellers, B. A. and Langeland, K. A. and Ferrell, J. A. and Meisenberg, M. and Walter. 2007. Identification and Control of Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata): A Potentially Poisonous Plant.
PIER, 2007. Ardisia crenata Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk.
Compiled by: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII); Comité français de l'UICN (IUCN French Committee) & IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
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Last Modified: Friday, 14 March 2008
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