Japanese-holly

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese-holly
• Christmas berry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tinus undulata
• Ardisia crispa f. xanthocarpa
• Bladhia crispa var. dielsii
• Ardisia crispa var. dielsii
• Ardisia crispa var. amplifolia
• Ardisia crispa var. elegans
• Tinus henryi
• Bladhia crispa
• Tinus crispa
• Ardisia multicaulis
• Ardisia hortorum
• Ardisia henryi
• Ardisia crispa f. leucocarpa
• Ardisia henryi var. dielsii
• Ardisia dielsii
• Ardisia hortorum var. brachysepala
• Ardisia simplicicaulis
• Ardisia crispa var. caducipila
• Bladhia crispa f. leucocarpa
• Bladhia crispa f. xanthocarpa
• Bladhia crispa var. caducipila

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, it is specifically situated in the family Primulaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Ardisia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several key regions of Eastern Asia. Within China, its distribution is specifically noted in the South-Central and Southeast territories. Moving further east, the species is also found throughout the islands of Japan. Its range extends northward to include the Korean Peninsula. Additionally, the plant can be located within the Nansei-shoto island group.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ardisia crispa is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution that allows it to inhabit diverse montane and subtropical environments. It can be found across a wide vertical gradient, ranging from lowlands at an elevation of 100 m AMSL to high-altitude regions reaching up to a maximum of 2400 m AMSL. On average, the species thrives at a mean elevation of approximately 1250 m AMSL, indicating a strong preference for mid-elevation ecological zones within its native habitat.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ardisia crispa is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it maintains its vegetative structures and remains active across multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a long-lived species, it establishes a persistent presence within its ecological niche, undergoing continuous growth and seasonal development. This perennial nature allows the plant to invest significant energy into robust structural development and reproductive cycles that occur repeatedly over many years, providing it with greater resilience and stability within its habitat compared to annual or biennial species.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ardisia crispa is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a shrub. This terrestrial plant typically reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.6 m to a maximum of 1 m, with an average height of approximately 0.8 m. As a self-supporting species, it does not function as a climber and maintains a stable, upright structure within its habitat.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.8 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Ardisia crispa is characterized by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions, which play a crucial role in its photosynthetic capacity and environmental adaptation. The leaves exhibit a range of lengths, with a minimum measurement of 7 cm and a mean length of approximately 9.5 cm, reaching a maximum extent of 12 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation is a specific width profile, where the leaf width ranges from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 3 cm. These dimensional parameters suggest a slender, lanceolate to elliptic leaf architecture that optimizes light interception within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length mean:

9.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ardisia crispa is characterized by its distinct flowering structures, which are presented in inflorescences that vary in size depending on the specific specimen. These inflorescences typically range in length from a minimum of 0.13 m to a maximum of 0.18 m. Through these floral arrangements, the plant facilitates its reproductive cycle, supporting the development of flowers that eventually lead to the production of seeds.

Inflorescence length max:

0.18 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.13 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ardisia crispa has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf.

Root

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. Inflammopharmacology

Leaf

1. Tropical biomedicine

Chemicals

Ardisia crispa has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-methoxy-6-undecyl-1,4-benzoquinone, BQ, Coumarins, Flavonoids, Lignans.

2-methoxy-6-undecyl-1,4-benzoquinone

1. Inflammopharmacology

BQ

1. Inflammopharmacology

Coumarins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Lignans

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Saponins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Ardisia crispa has 4 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antipyretic, Antitumor.

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antipyretic

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antitumor

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Conditions

Ardisia crispa has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Rheumatoid arthritis, collagen-induced arthritis, fever, inflammation, injuries.

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Inflammopharmacology

Collagen-induced arthritis

1. Inflammopharmacology

Fever

1. Tropical biomedicine

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Injuries

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Laryngeal diseases

1. PeerJ

Rheumatism

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Synovitis

1. Inflammopharmacology

Preparations

Ardisia crispa has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves extract.

Leaves extract

1. Tropical biomedicine