Coralberry (Ardisia crenata) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Coralberry is an Asian evergreen shrub that has naturalized in warm parts of the United States and bears red berries that linger through winter. It can spread through shaded woods and crowd out native plants, and its berries and leaves are suspected to be poisonous to people, pets, and livestock. It is also called coral ardisia.

Appearance

Growth form: An evergreen shrub 1.5–6 ft (0.5–2 m) tall that grows in dense, multi-stemmed clumps.
Leaves: Thick, glossy, dark green leaves up to about 8 in (20 cm) long with wavy, scalloped edges and small bumps in the notches.
Flowers: Small white to pink flowers hang in drooping clusters.
Fruit: Bright red, round berries about 1/4 in (6 mm) across that stay on the plant nearly all year.

Look-alikes

MarlberryArdisia escallonioides

In Florida, coral ardisia has scalloped leaf edges and bright red berries. Native marlberry has smooth leaf edges and berries that ripen dark purple to black.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Shady hardwood forests
Moist woodlands
Pastures
Range: Native to parts of Asia, including Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and India. In the US it has naturalized in Florida and other warm states including Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.
Preferred conditions: Thrives in deep shade under trees and can form dense patches.

Life cycle

Seed dispersal: Birds and raccoons eat the berries and spread the seeds.

Growing it

Care: In Florida, gardeners are encouraged to plant noninvasive alternatives, such as wild coffee, marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides), or dwarf native hollies.
Toxicity: The berries and leaves are suspected to be poisonous to livestock, pets, and people, and the plant has been suspected in several cattle deaths in Florida.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: It reached Florida as a garden ornamental in the early 1900s.
Florida restricted it as a noxious weed in 2014.

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