Ardisia japonica
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| Species: | A. japonica
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| Ardisia japonica | |
Ardisia japonica is a species of Ardisia native to eastern Asia, in eastern China, Japan and Korea.[1]
Growth
It is a low-growing, spreading very quickly evergreen shrub 20–40 cm tall. The leaves are opposite or in whorls, ovate, 4–7 cm long and 1.5–4 cm broad, with a sharply serrated margin and an acute apex. The flowers are 4–10 mm diameter, with five (rarely six) white to pale pink petals; they are produced in racemes in late spring. The fruit is a drupe 5–6 mm diameter, red maturing dark purple-black in early winter.[1][2]
Uses
A number of cultivars have been selected for growing as ornamental plants, including 'Hakuokan' and 'Ito Fukurin' with variegated leaves, 'Hinotsukasa', with pale cream-coloured leaves, and 'Matsu Shima' with pink stems and variegated leaves.[2]
Medicinal uses
It is used as a medicinal plant in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is called zǐjīn niú (Chinese: 紫金牛),[1] or aidicha (矮地茶) and is considered one of the 50 Fundamental Herbs.[3]
Large doses of the plant as medicine can be toxic to the kidneys.[4]
Weed problems
It has escaped from cultivation and established itself in the wild in the United States, in Gainesville, Florida.[5]
See also
- Chinese herbology
- Ardisia crenata, (waxy leaves and red berries) also known as coral bush, coralberry tree, or spiceberry.
References
- ^ a b c Flora of China: Ardisia japonica
- ^ a b Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
- ^ Plants for a Future: Ardisia japonica
- ^ Alternativehealing.org:Ardisia japonica
- ^ 'Wildland Weeds" Summer 2009 p.4 accessed 6 June 2010
External links
