Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Primulaceae

Genus:

Ardisia

Species:

Ardisia crenata subsp. crenata

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

180 cm

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

jun, jul

Bloom Colors:

white, pink

Evergreen Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Minimum Light:

Shade

Best Light:

Part Sun, Part Shade

Habitat:

Temperate forest, Tropical forest

Wildlife Value:

birds, bees

Fragrant:

Yes

Ecology:

Native to forest understories of East and Southeast Asia, this shade-tolerant evergreen shrub has become a severe invasive species in forests of the southeastern United States, displacing native understory flora through dense stands and prolific fruit production.

Soil Requirements

Soil:

loam — also tolerates clay, sandy

pH:

acidic to neutral

Drainage:

moist

Propagation & Germination

Notes:

Seeds exhibit high germination rates when cleaned of pulp and sown fresh; germination occurs within 1 to 2 months at warm temperatures without a required cold stratification period.