Ardisia japonica
| Ardisia japonica | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Primulaceae |
| Genus: | Ardisia |
| Species: | A. japonica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ardisia japonica | |
Ardisia japonica, known as marlberry,[2] is a species of plant in the primrose family native to eastern Asia, in eastern China, Japan and Korea.[3]
Description
[edit]It is a low-growing, spreading very quickly evergreen shrub 20–40 cm tall. The leaves are opposite or in whorls, ovate, 4–7 cm long and 1.5–4 cm broad, with a sharply serrated margin and an acute apex. The fruit is a drupe 5–6 mm diameter, red maturing dark purple-black in early winter. The flowers are 4–10 mm diameter, with five (rarely six) white to pale pink petals; they are produced in racemes in late spring.[3][4] The plant flowers from August to September.[5]
A. japonica grows in dark, damp places in mixed forests and bamboo forests within 1200 metres of sea level.[3]
Uses
[edit]A number of cultivars have been selected for growing as ornamental plants, including 'Hakuokan' and 'Ito Fukurin' with variegated leaves, 'Hinotsukasa', with pale cream-coloured leaves, and 'Matsu Shima' with pink stems and variegated leaves.[4]
A. japonica is one of the plants used in koten engei, a traditional form of Japanese horticulture. At least a dozen cultivars of the species are grown in this tradition, with varying shapes and coloration of leaves.[6]
The plant is called Jūryō (十両) in Japanese. Because of the red berries and the word play of its name it is used during Japanese New Year for chabana decoration, normally along winter jasmine.[7][8]
Medicinal uses
[edit]It is used as a medicinal plant in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is called zǐjīn niú (Chinese: 紫金牛),[3] or aidicha (矮地茶) and is considered one of the 50 Fundamental Herbs.[5]
Large doses of the plant as medicine can be toxic to the kidneys.[9]
Weed problems
[edit]It has escaped from cultivation and established itself in the wild in the United States, in Gainesville, Florida, and possibly as far as South Carolina and Texas.[10]
See also
[edit]- Chinese herbology
- Ardisia crenata, (waxy leaves and red berries) also known as coral bush, coralberry tree, or spiceberry.
References
[edit]- ^ "Ardisia japonica (Thunb.) Blume". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ English Names for Korean Native Plants (PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. 2015. p. 358. ISBN 978-89-97450-98-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017 – via Korea Forest Service.
- ^ a b c d Flora of China: Ardisia japonica
- ^ a b Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
- ^ a b Plants for a Future: Ardisia japonica
- ^ Yinger, Barry R.; Hahn, Carl R. "Cultivars of Japanese Plants at Brookside Gardens—II". Arnoldia. 45 (2). Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University: 7–18. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "万両 千両 十両の見分け方 和風の自然な庭に似合う植物（12月）です – Hanana tree". 17 December 2017.
- ^ "千両/万両 せんりょう/まんりょう｜暦生活".
- ^ Alternativehealing.org:Ardisia japonica
- ^ 'Wildland Weeds" Summer 2009 p. 4 accessed 6 June 2010
External links
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