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Ardisia japonica - (Thunb.)Blume.

Common Name Marlberry
Family Primulaceae
USDA hardiness 8-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Woods in hills and low mountains all over Japan[58]. Mixed forests or bamboo woods, hillsides and dark damp places at elevations up to 1200 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade
Ardisia japonica Marlberry


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Raul654
Ardisia japonica Marlberry

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Mid summer. Form: Prostrate, Variable spread.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Ardisia japonica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from December to March. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidote  Antitussive  Cancer  Carminative  Depurative  Diuretic  Expectorant

This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, especially in cases of bronchitis, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[218]. Carminative, depurative, expectorant, stimulates blood circulation[147, 178]. The leaves are used in the treatment of cancer and hepatoma[218]. A decoction of the stems is used in the treatment of coughs and uterine bleeding[218]. The root is antidote and diuretic[218]. The plant is depurative[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge

Plants can be grown as a trimmed hedge[200].

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Container. Prefers a well-drained humus rich soil in partial shade in a position sheltered from cold drying winds[200]. Hardy to about -10°c, it succeeds outdoors in S.W. England[1] but is not wholly hardy at Kew[11]. It does well in a woodland situation[166]. A number of cultivars have been developed for their ornamental value[182]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Invasive, Fragrant flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best harvested when it is ripe in the winter and sown immediately in a greenhouse[1]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, once the plants are 20cm or more tall. Cuttings of half-ripe wood in summer[200]. Grow on in cool, shaded humid conditions until well rooted[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Ardisia crenataCoralberry, Hen's eyes, SpiceberryShrub2.0 7-10 SLMHSM011
Ardisia crispa Shrub1.2 6-9  LMHSM110
Ardisia sieboldiiDuo Zhi Zi Jin NiuShrub6.0 0-0  LMHSM100

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Thunb.)Blume.

Botanical References

1158200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Jesus Molina   Mon Apr 19 14:24:42 2004

A quien corresponda.

Estimados compañeros, aquì en Chiapas, México, estoy trabajando con plantas del gènero Ardisias y me gustaria que me enviaran informacion referente a aislamientos de constituyentes quìmicos mediante cromatografìas.

les agradezco me correspondan

Rerspetuosamente

Químico Jesús Molina

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