Family: Primulaceae
Ardisia crenata (coral ardisia, Hilo holly) is an evergreen shrub native to east and southeast Asia and parts of India. Preparations from the root of this plant are used in traditional Chinese medicine. This plant is invasive in the southeastern U.S., particularly in Florida and Texas. It is viewed as an environmental weed in Australia and has also naturalized in New South Wales and Seychelles. It has also naturalized on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island. This plant has the capability to shade out native species on the forest floor, by decreasing light levels by as much as 70 %. It forms thick, dense stands and is shade tolerant, posing a threat to Hawaiʻi’s native wet and mesic forest understories.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability; elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Native to, and able to spread in, regions with temperate to tropical climates
- Naturalized on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands) and elsewhere
- An environmental weed in Florida, Australia and potentially Hawaii
- Other Ardisia species are invasive
- Possibly allelopathic
- Potentially toxic to animals and people
- Shade-tolerant
- Tolerates many soil types
- Forms dense stands that can exclude other vegetation
- Reproduces by prolific seed production
- Self-compatible
- Reaches maturity in 2 years
- Seeds dispersed by birds, other frugivores, dumped garden waste, water and intentionally by people
- Resprouts after cutting and fire
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Recalcitrant seeds lose viability after 2 to 4 weeks, and will not form a persistent seed bank
- Herbicides provide effective control
