Ardisia crenata

Species of plant

Ardisia crenata is a species of flowering plant in the primrose family, Primulaceae, that is native to East Asia. It is known by a variety of names such as Christmas berry, Australian holly, coral ardisia, coral bush, coralberry, coralberry tree, hen's eyes, and spiceberry. A. crenata is a compact shrub that reaches , often with a single stem. Leaves are dark green, thick, glossy, and have tightly waved edges The flowers are small, white or reddish, fragrant, and form clusters. The fruit is a glossy, bright red drupe. The seeds are able to germinate under a dense canopy and are dispersed by birds and humans. This invasive species was introduced to the United States in the early twentieth century as an ornamental species. It was observed to have escaped cultivation in 1982. Preparations made from the root of Ardisia crenata are used as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.

Christmas berry is an upright perennial shrub that grows tall. It maintains a densely tufted growth pattern and is often multi trunked. Christmas berry prefers moist soil and germination can occur from pH 4 to pH 10. It does well in temperatures of 25 °C and above. Flowers are white or pink with yellow anthers and grow in axillary clusters and are very often covered in multiple black spots. Plants begin to bear fruit two years after sprouting. The berry clusters often droop below the glossy foliage. Christmas berry is viewed as an environmental weed in Australia, particularly in its rainforests. It has become naturalized in north eastern New South Wales. When the mature plants from these stands are removed, juvenile seedlings will take over the space they leave behind. A basal bark application of 18% v/v solution of Remedy or Garlon 4 is an effective suppressant. hypertension, and uveal melanoma.

The plant is called Manryō (万両) 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 with winter jasmine. Other plants used instead because of their similarity are Sarcandra glabra and Ardisia japonica.