Ardisia pusilla — identification & habitat

Ardisia pusilla is a small evergreen shrub native to shaded forest floors in parts of East and Southeast Asia. Its stems creep along the ground, and it has toothed leaves and round berries that ripen red.

Appearance

Growth form: This evergreen shrub stays low and sends creeping stems across the ground.
Leaves: Its leaves have toothed edges, and the stems carry noticeable fine hairs.
Flowers: Small white flowers appear in little clusters.
Fruit: The round berries turn red as they ripen.

Look-alikes

Coral ardisiaArdisia crenata

Coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata), naturalized in Florida, grows as an upright shrub with scalloped leaf edges. This species trails close to the ground and has coarser teeth along its leaves.

Why they get mixed upBoth have evergreen leaves and red berries.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Shaded forest floors
Range: This species is native to parts of East and Southeast Asia, including Korea and Japan.
Preferred conditions: It grows on shaded forest floors in its native range.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: In Korea, it is grown as a small ornamental for its red berries.

10 sources