Statue of Unity – Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat Rain Forest Ektanagar

Ardisia solanacea

Syn. Ardisia elliptica

IUCN Red List Least Concern (LC)

Local name

  • Shoebutton Ardisia (English)
  • Dhan-priya (Hindi)
  • Bugadi (Marathi)

Shrub type

Evergreen Deciduous
Family: Primulaceae
4m

Indicated uses

Medicinal Edible Ornamental Avenue Other

Flowering & fruiting

Flowering Fruiting

Key characters

Ardisia solanacea bark

Bark

Smooth, light brown bark with distinctive reddish-purple or pink young branches that are completely hairless.

Ardisia solanacea leaves

Leaves

Leaves are 10-20 cm long, elliptic to oblanceolate to obovate, entire, tip narrow, with short stalks.

Ardisia solanacea flower

Flower

Flowers are 1.5-2 cm across, pink or pinkish- white, in axillary, corymb-like racemes, shorter than the leaves, borne at the bases of new shoots. Petals spread outwards, broad, tube very short.

Ardisia solanacea fruit / seeds

Fruit / Seeds

Glossy, purplish-black berries containing staining pink juice and one hard, round seed inside.

Ardisia solanacea

Did you know?

It is called “Shoebutton Ardisia” because its glossy, black ripe berries resemble the domed buttons once used on leather dress shoes.

Distribution

World map showing distribution

Indian Subcontinent to China and Peninsula Malaysia.