Myrsinaceae, the Myrsine family
This evergreen tree or shrub invades natural areas, forming clumps or thickets that crowd out other species. It is a pest plant in tropical and subtropical areas, including Hawaii. Individuals can reach 15 to 20 feet in height with a diameter of up to 6 inches. The well-developed tap root of this small tree aids in resprouting after fire or other damage, and resprouting results in the more shrub-like growth form. The leathery, alternate leaves are entire, elliptic to elliptic-obovate or ovate, and dotted with glands on the lower surface of the leaf blade. The inflorescence is an axillary cluster of pinkish-purple, star-shaped flowers. The fruit looks like a berry, but is a round drupe (like a peach fruit, with a single seed), about 1/4 inch across. The fruits are initially white, and then change from red to purple to black.
This species is possibly native to India, but certainly tropical Asia, and is now found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Documented occurrences of shoebutton ardisia are known from several coastal counties in the central and southern peninsula. This species thrives in maritime hammocks, coastal forests, swamplands, flatwoods and waste places in South Florida.
This plant is similar to two native species in the Myrsine family found in South Florida, Rapanea punctata and Ardisia escallonioides, but its inflorescences are large and axillary. Rapanea punctata has sessile flowers, and Ardisia escallonioides has flowers in dense terminal clusters.
Birds spread the seeds after eating the fleshy fruit.
At present, it is regulated by the state of Florida (5B-57.007 Noxious Weed List), and it is included on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) Category I list of invasive plants. Seedlings are easier to control with herbicides than mature plants.
Langeland, K.A., H. M. Cherry, C. M. McCormick and K.A. Craddock Burks. 2008. Identification and biology of nonnative plants in Florida’s natural areas. IFAS Communication Services, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 193 p.