Ardisia elliptica
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| Ardisia elliptica Thunb. |
Ardisia elliptica is an evergreen tree, also known as the shoebutton, native to the west coast of India, Sri Lanka, Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia and New Guinea. It a prolific reproducer which has made it a successful invasive species in other locations.
A. elliptica is a tropical understory shrub that can reach heights of up 5 meters. Undamaged plants in forest habitats are characterized by a single stem, producing short, perpendicular branches. Leaves are ellipic to elliptic-obovate, entire, leathery and alternate. Umbellate inflorescences develop in leaf axils of branch leaves. Petals are light pink. Fruits are drupes that first turn red as they mature and then deep purple / black. Pulp staining fingers a deep purple. Seeds are approximately spherical with a diameter of about 5mm.
Given ideal conditions, individuals can reach reproductive maturity in 2-4 years in the field and 1-2 years in a shade house. Large adults in bright forested sites have been measured producing up to 400 fruits. However, adults can also successfully set fruit under shady conditions. Seeds do not have any long-term dormancy (i.e., greater than 6 months), however, seedlings and juveniles can survive under very shady conditions for many years. Given enough light, juveniles rapidly develop into reproductive adults. Its fruit is readily consumed by both avian and mammalian frugivores, rapid spread across a landscape is possible.
The species has become invasive in Hawai‘i, Southern Florida, Okinawa and Jamaica.
[edit] References
- Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG). Ardisia elliptica
