Ardisia japonica
Marlberry
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Ardisia genus in the family Myrsinaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Myrsinaceae
- Genus
- Ardisia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 0.45 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[8]. Carminative, depurative, expectorant, stimulates blood circulation[3][5]. The leaves are used in the treatment of cancer and hepatoma[8]. A decoction of the stems is used in the treatment of coughs and uterine bleeding[8]. The root is antidote and diuretic[8]. The plant is depurative[8].
- Product or use
- Antidote
- Product or use
- Antitussive
- Product or use
- Cancer
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Depurative
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Expectorant
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants can be grown as a trimmed hedge[7].
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China, Japan.
- Habitat
- Woods in hills and low mountains all over Japan[10]. Mixed forests or bamboo woods, hillsides and dark damp places at elevations up to 1200 metres[9].
- Shade tolerance
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[7]. Grow on in cool, shaded humid conditions until well rooted[7].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a well-drained humus rich soil in partial shade in a position sheltered from cold drying winds[7]. Hardy to about -10°c, it succeeds outdoors in S.W. England[1] but is not wholly hardy at Kew[2]. It does well in a woodland situation[4]. A number of cultivars have been developed for their ornamental value[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00