Ardisia pusilla

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bladhia villosa var. liukiuensis
• Bladhia villosa
• Ardisia pusilla f. liukiuensis
• Ardisia villosa var. liukiuensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several distinct regions within East Asia. In China, its presence is noted throughout both the South-Central and Southeast territories. The species also extends into the island nations of Japan and Korea. Furthermore, its geographical range includes the Nansei-shoto islands. These diverse locations highlight the plant's broad ecological footprint across the Eastern Asian landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ardisia pusilla is characterized by its specific distribution within low-altitude habitats, as it is found at an elevational range starting at a minimum of 200 m AMSL. This elevational baseline, which also serves as its mean elevational range of 200 m AMSL, indicates that the species is primarily adapted to lowland environments. These specific altitudinal parameters suggest that the plant thrives in the environmental conditions typical of these lower elevations, likely influenced by the unique temperature, humidity, and light availability characteristic of such zones.

Elevational range mean:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ardisia pusilla is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it does not follow the rapid turnover of annuals or the intermediate cycle of biennials, but instead maintains a continuous presence within its ecological niche. This perennial nature supports a sustained developmental pattern where the plant can invest in robust structural growth and repeated reproductive efforts over several years. Through its extended lifecycle, Ardisia pusilla establishes a stable existence, contributing to the long-term stability of its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ardisia pusilla is characterized by a low-growing, woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a subshrub or small shrub. The plant is self-supporting and does not exhibit climbing tendencies. It maintains a relatively diminutive stature, with plant heights typically ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.4 m, resulting in an average height of approximately 0.35 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.35 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Ardisia pusilla are defined by specific morphological dimensions that reflect its vegetative growth patterns. The leaves exhibit a moderate degree of variation in size, with a mean leaf length of 4.25 cm. Individual leaf measurements show a range of length extending from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 6 cm. Complementing these longitudinal dimensions, the leaf width varies between a minimum of 1.5 cm and a maximum of 3.5 cm, establishing a structural profile that supports its photosynthetic efficiency and overall developmental processes.

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.25 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ardisia pusilla has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ardipusilloside I, Coumarins, Flavonoids, Lignans, Steroids.

Ardipusilloside I

1. Planta medica

Coumarins

1. PloS one

Flavonoids

1. PloS one

Lignans

1. PloS one

Steroids

1. PloS one

bergenin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

triterpenoids

1. PloS one

Conditions

Ardisia pusilla has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancers.

Cancers

1. Planta medica

Preparations

Ardisia pusilla has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract, n-butanol fraction.

Extract

1. PloS one

N-butanol fraction

1. PloS one