marlberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• marlberry
• Japanese ardisia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tinus japonica
• Bladhia japonica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, falling specifically into the family Primulaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed within the genus Ardisia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to several distinct regions across Eastern Asia. Within China, its presence is recorded in the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Moving further east, the species is also found naturally occurring in Japan. Additionally, its range extends into the Korean peninsula. These diverse locations highlight the broad geographical distribution of Ardisia japonica throughout the region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ardisia japonica is characterized by a highly specific altitudinal distribution, as it is consistently documented within a narrow elevational band. Based on ecological data, the species maintains a stable presence at an elevation of 1200 m AMSL, representing its minimum, mean, and maximum altitudinal range. This precise vertical positioning suggests that the plant is specialized to the specific climatic conditions, such as temperature regimes and moisture availability, found at this particular level above sea level.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ardisia japonica is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. Throughout its development, it maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage year-round rather than shedding leaves seasonally. This combination of a long-lived life cycle and consistent leaf presence enables the species to maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ardisia japonica is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically presenting as a perennial shrub. It is a terrestrial species, meaning it grows in soil rather than in aquatic or semiaquatic environments, and it functions as an independent organism without being a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, lacking any climbing or vining mechanisms such as lianas or tendrils.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ardisia japonica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation and metabolic efficiency. The leaf morphology is specifically adapted to its environment, featuring an elliptic leaf form with finely toothed margins. The dimensions of the leaves vary, with a minimum length of 4 cm and a mean length of 5.5 cm, reaching a maximum length of up to 7 cm. In terms of width, the leaves range from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. Notably, the plant's leaf structure lacks any specialized defensive physiological traits such as thorns or spines, maintaining a smooth integumentary surface.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf margin :

finely toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ardisia japonica has 33 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include bergenin, Coumarins, quercitrin, 2-Hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-pentadecenyl benzoquinone, 2-Methyl-5-isopropylphenol.

bergenin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
4. Journal of separation science

Coumarins

1. Journal of separation science
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

quercitrin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science

2-Hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-pentadecenyl benzoquinone

1. Dr. Duke

2-Methyl-5-isopropylphenol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ARDISIANOSIDE B

1. Journal of natural products

ARDISIANOSIDE C

1. Journal of natural products

ARDISIANOSIDE E

1. Journal of natural products

ARDISIANOSIDE F

1. Journal of natural products

ARDISIANOSIDE G

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Ardisia japonica has 195 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antitussive, Antiasthmatic, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antiviral.

Antitussive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Frontiers in plant science

Antiasthmatic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Ardisia japonica has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HIV, HIV-1, airway remodeling, antiasthmatic, antitussive.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations