| Ardisia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ardisia crenata | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Primulaceae |
| Subfamily: | Myrsinoideae |
| Genus: | Ardisia Sw. |
| Type species | |
| Ardisia tinifolia | |
| Species | |
Over 700, seelist ofArdisia species | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Ardisia (coralberry ormarlberry) is a genus offlowering plants in the familyPrimulaceae. It was in the formerMyrsinaceae family now recognised as the myrsine sub-familyMyrsinoideae.[1] They are distributed in theAmericas,Asia,Australia, and thePacific Islands, mainly in thetropics.[2][3] There are over 700 accepted species.[4] One species,Ardisia japonica is one of the 50 fundamental herbs intraditional Chinese medicine.
These aretrees,shrubs, and subshrubs. Most have alternately arranged leaves. Flowers are borne in many forms ofinflorescence. The flowers have usually 4 or 5 greensepals and a bell-shaped corolla of usually 4 or 5 white or pinkpetals. The fruit is a somewhat fleshydrupe.[2][3] The defining characteristic of the genus is the small tube formed at the center of the flower by thestamens, which are joined at their bases.[5]
SeveralArdisia species are the sources of the chemical compounds known asardisiaquinones.[6]
Selected species include:[4]