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Coral Ardisia

Learn about Coral Ardisia, a problematic invasive species in Florida, its impacts, identification, and effective management strategies. This shrub, native to Japan and Northern India, disrupts natural plant communities and is a persistent threat to the ecosystem.

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Coral Ardisia

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  1. Coral Ardisia Ardisia crenata (Sims) Myrsinaceae

  2. Biology • Native to Japan and Northern India • Also known as Christmas berry • Small, upright shrub

  3. Background Economic Uses • Used extensively as an ornamental plant • Desirable species in the landscape • Persistent red berries • Glossy foliage • Low maintenance

  4. Distribution • Found throughout much of north and central Florida • Commonly found in disturbed areas, but will invade hardwood hammocks and other natural areas

  5. Coral Ardesia Distribution in Florida

  6. Impacts • Category I invasive species (FLEPPC) • Disrupts natural plant communities • Shade out desirable species, especially native seedlings and understory plants • Resprouts readily after fire or mechanical removal • Heavy fruit set after 2 years of establishment

  7. Identification

  8. Mature Plant • Small upright shrub, up to 6 feet tall • Often grows in large colonies • Shade tolerant, understory species

  9. Seedlings • Seedlings often found encircling a mature plant • Plants will remain in juvenile stage until mature specimen is removed

  10. Leaves • Alternate arrangement, but tight to the main stem • Scalloped margins • Dark, thick, glossy green

  11. Flowers and Fruit • Flowering occurs in spring – small white/pink clusters • Fruit are bright red and hang from the plant • Persist on the plants for several months

  12. Fruit and Seed • Fruit readily consumed by wildlife - birds • Seed viability is very high and germinate in a wide range of soil conditions

  13. Management Preventative Cultural Mechanical Biological Chemical

  14. Preventative • Limit planting as an ornamental • Remove existing plants, including resprouts and before seeds are produced • Rouge out plants in abandoned areas

  15. Cultural • Alternative landscape plants to replace coral ardisia • Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with ardisia and proper identification • Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce seedling establishment

  16. Biological • There are no known biological control agents available for coral ardisia management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.

  17. Mechanical • Hand pull young seedlings, including all roots, repeated pulling for resprouts • Mowing or clipping/chopping is effective, but must be repeated due to resprouting from rootstocks. However, mowing may not be practical in many areas.

  18. Chemical - Foliar • Over-the-top applications for seedlings and large plants • Thoroughly wet leaves with herbicide • Glyphosate – 2-3% solution plus surfactant at 0.25% to increase herbicide penetration of the waxy leaves • 2,4-D – 2-3% solution is also effective, but only on seedlings or resprouts

  19. Chemical - Foliar • Over-the-top applications for seedlings and large plants • Use 18% triclopyr solution with basal oil or 10% diesel fuel

  20. Useful 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

  21. Useful 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

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

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