Identification and Control of Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata): A Potentially Poisonous Plant.1
Coral ardisia, also known as coral berry, spice berry, and scratchthroat, was introduced to Florida in the early 1900's for ornamental purposes (Figure 1). Since then, it has escaped cultivation, and it is found in hardwood hammocks and other moist, natural-wooded areas and grazing lands. Documented herbarium specimens, or preserved plants, have been collected from 19 western and south-central Florida counties (Wunderlin and Hansen 2004). Coral ardisia is considered invasive by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (Category I) and the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants (FLEPPC 2017; Anonymous 2017).
Credit: Michael Meisenburg
Identification
Coral ardisia is an evergreen, sub-shrub that reaches heights of 1.5 to 6 feet. It tends to grow in multi-stemmed clumps. The alternate, waxy leaves are about 8 inches long, and they are dark green above. They are also hairless, with scalloped margins and calluses in the margin notches (Figure 2). Flowers are typically pink to white in stalked axillary clusters, usually drooping below the foliage (Figure 3). The fruit is bright red, globular, and one-seeded, measuring about 0.25 inches in diameter (Figure 4). Berries tend to persist on the plant nearly year-round, and white-berried populations also exist.
Credit: Brent Sellers, UF/IFAS
Credit: Michael Meisenburg
Credit: Michael Meisenburg
Toxicity
Although there is no published literature supporting the theory that coral ardisia is toxic, it is suspected that the berries and/or foliage are poisonous to livestock, pets, and humans. In 2001, 2007, and 2012, the plant was the suspected causal agent for livestock deaths in Florida.
Control
Coral ardisia can be suppressed by using foliar applications of 2.25% v/v (volume to volume) solution of triclopyr ester-containing products (Garlon 4 Ultra, Remedy Ultra, others), 3% triclopyr amine-containing products (Garlon 3A, others), or 1% imazapic-containing products (Impose, Panoramic, Plateau) (Table 1). Basal bark applications with an 18% v/v solution of Garlon 4 or Remedy Ultra in an oil carrier can also control the plant. Complete coverage is essential when using foliar applications. Do not apply more than 8 quarts of Remedy or Garlon 4 per acre. If applying greater than 2 quarts, then treat no more than 10% of the total grazed area. Since formulations can evaporate when temperatures exceed 85°F, use care when applying high rates of these herbicides. The herbicide imazapic has been shown to reduce seedling germination within 12 months after application. Regardless of the application method, retreatment will be necessary for complete control as there will typically be a new flush of seedlings following most treatments. For more information on basal bark applications, visit https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AG245 to read the EDIS publication entitled Herbicide Application Techniques for Woody Plant Control.
References and Further Reading
Anonymous. 2017. "Ardisia crenata." UF-IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/ardisia-crenata/ (December 2017)
FLEPPC. 2017. List of Invasive Plant Species. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. http://bugwoodcloud.org/CDN/fleppc/plantlists/2017/2017FLEPPCLIST-TRIFOLD-FINALAPPROVEDBYKEN-SUBMITTEDTOALTA.pdf (December 2017)
Hutchinson, J. T., K. A. Langeland, and M. Miesenberg. 2011. Field trials for herbicide control of coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata) in natural areas of north-central Florida. Invasive Plant Sci Mgmt. 4: 234–238.
Wunderlin, R. P., and B. F. Hansen. 2004. Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/. [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), Florida for Community Design and Research.] Tampa, FL: Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida.
