Ardisia squamulosa has been included here as a synonym for this species (Ardisia elliptica). However, some treatments still maintain it as distinct, treating it as being endemic to the Philippines. If later revisions support this view, then its uses will be the same as for Ardisia elliptica[].

Common Name:

General Information

Ardisia elliptica is a small, evergreen shrub or a tree that can grow up to 13 metres tall but is usually much smaller. The bole can be up to 20cm in diameter[, , ].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is often grown as an ornamental, being valued especially for its attractive fruit[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern India, Sri Lanka to the Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea.

Habitat

Sandy soils near the coast in places such as along beaches, edges of mangrove swamps, tidal riversides and peat-swamps; at elevations up to 30 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is usually found in areas where the mean annual rainfall is 1,500mm or more[].
Plants are shade tolerant, but can also succeed in full sun[, ]. Prefers a moist or even wet, fertile soil, and can succeed in clay[, ].
The plant is often grown as an ornamental. It has escaped from cultivation in many areas, is considered to be invasive in many places including southern Florida, and has been declared a noxious weed in Hawaii. It grows rapidly, forming dense monotypic stands in pastures and mesic forest that prevent establishment of all other species[]. Frugivorous birds are the principal dispersal agents of the seeds, being attracted to the numerous red to blackish fruits[].
A fast-growing tree[]. The plant may grow as much as 1 metre in the first year as a sprout, but seedlings and established shrubs grow quite slowly, usually only 25 - 50cm a year in height[]. Plants can flower and produce seed within 2 - 4 years from seed, when no more than 2 metres tall[, ].
The plant flowers and produces fruit sporadically throughout the year[].
The tree is probably not resistant to fire[].
The likely lifespan of a plant is between 10 - 25 years[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. A slightly sour taste with a hint of starch, but otherwise lacking flavour[]. The fruit is a drupe 6 - 11mm in diameter containing a single seed - it turns from red to a deep purple-black as it matures[]. The pulp from the fruits will stain fingers a deep purple[].

Young shoots - raw or cooked[].
The flowers and fruits are cooked as a flavouring[].

Medicinal

The roots are used medicinally at childbirth[].

A decoction of the leaves is said to assuage retrosternal pains[].
The leaves are used to soothe and heal wounds[].

Other Uses

The wood can be used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - around 99% of fresh seed is viable[]. Sown without any pretreatment in a commercial potting mix, 75% of the seed germinated within 42 - 81 days after sowing[].

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