Coral Ardisia: A Beautiful Beast
Coral Ardisia
Ardisia crenata
A popular ornamental for its glossy dark green leaves and red berries, coral ardisia came to Florida in 1896. In the 1960s it had escaped into natural areas and by 1980 it had become a problem. By 1994 it was labeled an invasive and by 2014, the state of Florida labeled it a noxious weed. Coral Ardisia produces many berries which have an incredible success rate. This invader is also able to regrow from small root fragments, this can cause it to grow back quickly after removal efforts. The ability to re-sprout from remaining fragments and its high reproductive success enables this beastly plant to form dense monocultures, destroying an areas biodiversity.
Coral Ardisia
Ardisia crenata
Appearance
Ardisia crenata is a small shrub that ranges from 2-6 ft. (0.6-1.8 m) in height.
Foliage
The evergreen leaves are leathery, dark-green and 4-8 in. (10-20 cm) long.
Flowers
The flowers are on stalks. They are small, pink to white in axillary clusters usually drooping beneath the foliage. Blooms develop in the late spring and early summer.
Fruit
Fruit are rounded drupes and bright red. Each fruit contains a single seed. The seeds are easily spread by birds and other wildlife.
Ecological Threat
Ardisia crenata thrives in shade and deep, rich soil, but can survive in any non-saturated soil. This plant is a native of Southeast Asia and was introduced into Florida as an ornamental around 1900. Readily invades hardwood hammocks and can form dense monocultures in the forest understory. Mature plants are usually surrounded by a blanket of seedlings. It has also been seen to invade scrub, sandhill, mesic flatwoods, hydric hammocks, bottomland forests, maritime hammocks, lake shores, and ruderal communities. (Wunderlin and Hansen 2004).
Coral Ardisia
Ardisia crenata
Why Coral Ardisia must be managed;
Like many invasive plants, coral ardisia takes over natural areas preventing native plants from growing and native seeds from becoming established. Their red berries also can remain in the soil and are viable for up to two years making them difficult to remove in one effort.
Coral ardisia is also thought to be toxic to humans and livestock. Creating a negative impact on agriculture.
Management
- Remove berries from plants and from around the base of plants and securely dispose of them in a refuse container. Not in the compost.
- Remove plant with a shovel being careful to remove roots as well.
- Basal bark applications of herbicide has also been shown to be effective.
Coral ardisia can regrow easily from any missed berries or remaining roots. The best way to eradicate is to check the area at a later date for new seedlings and continuously remove them.
