Japanese Marlberry (Ardisia japonica (Thunb.) Blume)
Also known as Japanese ardisia.
↑Range - Expand
| Legend | Color |
| Introduced | |
| Introduced or Not Present |
This map is based on our research. We have checked its accuracy to Level 3 ecoregions. Although this plant occurs somewhere in each of these regions, it may only occur in a small part of some or all of them.
This species is native to East Asia, and has been widely planted as an ornamental, and has escaped and established in the wild. Although it species is reported as "rare" throughout its range by FSUS, the frequency of recent iNaturalist reports suggests that it may be rapidly increasing in much of its range and likely poses invasive risk. It has become locally abundant on some sites, and can sometimes form large monocultures.
↑Uses
This species has been widely planted as an ornamental. It is showing early signs of being invasive, as it has been rapidly increasing in numbers and establishing in new areas, and it can form large monocultures.
We caution against planting it and recommend removing it wherever it is found.
↑Notes
We prefer the common name "Japanese Marlberry" as it is the most literal translation of the scientific name; some Ardisia are referred to as "marlberry". We emphasize the need to include the descriptor "Japanese", however, because without the descriptor, "marlberry" most often refers to island marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides). We recommend avoiding the common names "Japanese cleyera" and "Japanese ardisia" because they reference scientific genera which can be misleading as genera can change. In this case the name "Japanese cleyera" is even more misleading as this species has never been classified in the Cleyera genus.
↑Links & External Resources
• Ardisia japonica | Biota of North America Project (BONAP) (About This Site)
• Ardisia japonica | Flora of North America (About This Site)
• marlberry | Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder (About This Site)
• Ardisia japonica | CABI Invasive Species Compendium (About This Site)
• Ardisia japonica (Thunb.) Blume | Plants of the World Online (POWO) (About This Site)
• Ardisia japonica (marlberry) | USDA PLANTS Database (About This Site)
↑Photo gallery
