Ardisia humilis explained

Ardisia humilis (jet berry) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Ardisia in the family Primulaceae, native to southeastern Asia in southern China (Guangdong, Hainan), the Philippines, and Vietnam.[1]

Description

Ardisia humilis is an evergreen shrub growing 1–2 m (rarely to 5 m) tall. The leaves are broad ovate to elliptical, 15–18 cm long and 5–7 cm broad, with a leathery texture and an acute apex. The flowers are reddish-purple to pink and 5–6 mm diameter; they are produced in corymbs in mid-spring. The fruit is a red to dark purple drupe 6 mm diameter, containing a single seed, and it matures in late autumn.[1]

Status

Ardisia humilis is considered to be included in the single variable species Ardisia elliptica by some botanists.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Flora of China: Ardisia humilis
  2. “Shoebutton ardisia: Ardisia elliptica” Weeds of Australia website, http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/03030800-0b07-490a-8d04-0605030c0f01/media/Html/Ardisia_elliptica.htm (retrieved 28.2.2013)