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Ardisia crenata Sims
| Family Name: | Primulaceae |
| Synonyms: | Ardisia crenulata |
| Common Name: | Coral Berry, Coral Bush, Coral Ardisia, Spiceberry, Hen's Eyes, Mata Itik, Mata Ayam, 朱砂根, 大罗伞 |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 1.5 m to 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | From India to Indochina to Japan, and western Malesia to the Philippines (including Singapore) |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Coastal Forest, Freshwater Swamp Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is usually a shrub or treelet up to 3.0 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves have thinly leathery leaf blades that are oval or narrowly lance-shaped, or narrowly drop-shaped, 5–60 by 1.9–4 cm, and the margins are crenate, with distinctly scalloped edges. |
| Flowers | Its flowering clusters are stalkless or stalked, and found at the ends of the twigs. Its stalked flowers are white or rarely pinkish, and about 8.5 mm wide, with pointed anthers. |
| Fruit | Its round fruits are shiny, bright-red, and 5–8 mm wide. |
| Habitat | It grows in open country, secondary forests, villages, and along seashores, up to 200 m altitude. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. The fruits are probably eaten by birds. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed, stem cuttings and leaf cuttings. |
| Etymology | Greek ardis, a point, referring to the pointed anthers of the plant; Latin crenata, cut in rounded scallops, referring to the shape of the margins of the leaf blades |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves Food (Fruit & Vegetable): The reportedly sweet and small fruits are edible. The leaves are also taken as vegetable in salads. Young shoots eaten as ulam with sambal belachan. Medicinal: Traditional Medicinal Uses In Asia countries like China, the plant is used traditionally to overcome asthma, tonsillitis, tooth-ache, trauma, arthralgia, respiratory tract infections. The juice derived from the plant or crushed leaves are used internally against fever, cough and diarrhoea. In Thailand, the roots are used in combination with other medicinal plants to curb menstrual pain. <1> It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. Others: This shrub or treelet is cultivated in pots as an auspicious plant for sale during the Lunar New Year. Its shiny, bright-red fruits signify vigour and vitality, and prosperity: qualities that the Chinese value. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | This shrub or treelet may be able to tolerate the conditions of roadsides. It is cultivated in gardens and parks for its attractive, shiny, bright-red fruits. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits |
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Flowerbed / Border, Bonsai, Container Planting, General, Roadside Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Coastal, Hedge / Screening |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird Attracting (Fruits) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Moist Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting (Semi-Hardwood), Seed, Leaf Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny, Leathery, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Crenate |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Drupe |
References
| References | <1> Lim, T.K. (2012). Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plant vol. 2, Fruits. pp. 544-548. Netherland: Springer Science+Business Media B.V. |
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Others
| Master ID | 29127 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3436 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
