Coral ArdisiaCoral Ardisia Ardisia crenata Ardisia crenata (Sims) Myrsinaceae(Sims) Myrsinaceae

BiologyBiology• Native to Japan and Northern IndiaNative to Japan and Northern India

• Also known as Christmas berryAlso known as Christmas berry

• Small, upright shrubSmall, upright shrub

BackgroundBackgroundEconomic UsesEconomic Uses• Used extensively as an Used extensively as an

ornamental plantornamental plant• Desirable species in Desirable species in

the landscapethe landscape– Persistent red berriesPersistent red berries– Glossy foliageGlossy foliage

• Low maintenanceLow maintenance

DistributionDistribution• Found throughout much of north and Found throughout much of north and

central Floridacentral Florida

• Commonly found in disturbed areas, but Commonly found in disturbed areas, but will invade hardwood hammocks and will invade hardwood hammocks and other natural areasother natural areas

Coral Ardesia Distribution in FloridaCoral Ardesia Distribution in Florida

ImpactsImpacts• Category I invasive species (FLEPPC)Category I invasive species (FLEPPC)

– Disrupts natural plant communitiesDisrupts natural plant communities

• Shade out desirable species, especially Shade out desirable species, especially native seedlings and understory plantsnative seedlings and understory plants

• Resprouts readily after fire or mechanical Resprouts readily after fire or mechanical removalremoval

• Heavy fruit set after 2 years of Heavy fruit set after 2 years of establishmentestablishment

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant• Small upright Small upright

shrub, up to 6 shrub, up to 6 feet tallfeet tall

• Often grows in Often grows in large colonieslarge colonies

• Shade tolerant, Shade tolerant, understory understory species species

SeedlingsSeedlings• Seedlings often Seedlings often

found encircling a found encircling a mature plantmature plant

• Plants will remain in Plants will remain in juvenile stage until juvenile stage until mature specimen is mature specimen is removedremoved

LeavesLeaves• Alternate Alternate

arrangement, arrangement, but tight to the but tight to the main stemmain stem

• Scalloped Scalloped marginsmargins

• Dark, thick, Dark, thick, glossy greenglossy green

Flowers and FruitFlowers and Fruit• Flowering occurs in Flowering occurs in

spring – small spring – small white/pink clusterswhite/pink clusters

• Fruit are bright red Fruit are bright red and hang from the and hang from the plantplant

• Persist on the plants Persist on the plants for several months for several months

Fruit and SeedFruit and Seed• Fruit readily Fruit readily

consumed by consumed by wildlife - birdswildlife - birds

• Seed viability is Seed viability is very high and very high and germinate in a germinate in a wide range of wide range of soil conditionssoil conditions

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCultural

MechanicalMechanical

BiologicalBiological

ChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Limit planting as an ornamentalLimit planting as an ornamental

2.2. Remove existing plants, including Remove existing plants, including resprouts and before seeds are resprouts and before seeds are producedproduced

3.3. Rouge out plants in abandoned areasRouge out plants in abandoned areas

CulturalCultural1.1. Alternative landscape plants to Alternative landscape plants to

replace coral ardisiareplace coral ardisia

2.2. Programs to educate homeowners Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with about the problems associated with ardisia and proper identificationardisia and proper identification

3.3. Maintain good ground cover and Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce mixture of plant species to reduce seedling establishmentseedling establishment

BiologicalBiological1.1. There are no known biological control There are no known biological control

agents available for coral ardisia agents available for coral ardisia management in Florida or the management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.southeastern U.S.

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Hand pull young seedlings, including Hand pull young seedlings, including

all roots, repeated pulling for resproutsall roots, repeated pulling for resprouts

2.2. Mowing or clipping/chopping is Mowing or clipping/chopping is effective, but must be repeated due to effective, but must be repeated due to resprouting from rootstocks. However, resprouting from rootstocks. However, mowing may not be practical in many mowing may not be practical in many areas.areas.

Chemical - FoliarChemical - Foliar1.1. Over-the-top applications for Over-the-top applications for

seedlings and large plantsseedlings and large plants

2.2. Thoroughly wet leaves with herbicideThoroughly wet leaves with herbicide Glyphosate – 2-3% solution plus Glyphosate – 2-3% solution plus

surfactant at 0.25% to increase herbicide surfactant at 0.25% to increase herbicide penetration of the waxy leavespenetration of the waxy leaves

2,4-D – 2-3% solution is also effective, 2,4-D – 2-3% solution is also effective, but only on seedlings or resproutsbut only on seedlings or resprouts

Chemical - FoliarChemical - Foliar1.1. Over-the-top applications for seedlings Over-the-top applications for seedlings

and large plantsand large plants

2.2. Use 18% triclopyr solution with basal Use 18% triclopyr solution with basal oil or 10% diesel fueloil or 10% diesel fuel

Useful LinksUseful Links• Floridata Homepage:

http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm

• University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

• University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html

Useful LinksUseful Links• Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER).

Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems: http://www.hear.org/pier/threats.htm

• Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States: http://www.invasive.org

Literature CitedLiterature CitedLangeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 ppFlorida, Gainesville. 165 pp