Native and Nonnative Ardisia in St. Lucie County and the Treasure Coast

UF/IFAS has resources to help with identification of native and non-native Ardisia sp. in Treasure Coast natural areas. The UF/IFAS Assessment is one of those resources. According to Dr. Deah Lieurance, the Extension Assistant Scientist charged with managing the UF/IFAS Assessment, “the IFAS Assessment provides recommendations on the use of over 900 non-native species. Our overarching goal is to reduce plant invasions in the region and protect vital natural and agricultural resources. For more information visit https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu“.

Information about the common native and non-native Ardisia sp. found in Treasure Coast natural areas can be found below:

Native Ardisia on the Treasure Coast

Ardisia escallonioides, Marlberry

Native

For additional information, FPS-48/FP048: Ardisia escallonioides Marlberry (ufl.edu)

Non-native Ardisia on the Treasure Coast

Coral Ardisia – Ardisia crenata

CENTRAL, NORTH, SOUTH

Prohibited

Prohibited from use in Florida according to the Federal Noxious Weed List, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) 5B-64.011 Prohibited Aquatic Plants, or FDACS 5B-57.007 Noxious Weed List.

Identification and Control of Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata): A Potentially Poisonous Plant

Ardisia elliptica, Shoebutton Ardisia

NORTH, CENTRAL, SOUTH

Prohibited

In addition to these two invasive plants, Ardisia japonica is listed in the IFAS Assessment as a “caution” species in North Florida. It is undocumented in South Florida natural areas as of publishing this blog (June 2021).

References
Gilman, E.F., Klein, R.W., and G. Hansen. (2018, August). Ardisia escallonioides Marlberry. [UF/EDIS] FPS48/FP048

B. A. Sellers, S. F. Enloe, Patrick Minogue, and J. Walter. (2017, December). Identification and Control of Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata): A Potentially Poisonous Plant. [UF EDIS] SS AGR 276/AG281

UF/IFAS Assessment http://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu

Much thanks to Dr. Deah Lieurance for the her management of the IFAS Assessment.