Gen info
- Ardisia (coralberry of marlberry) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly in the family Myrsinaceae, now recognized as the myrsine sub-family Myrsinoideae. There are over 700 accepted species. It is the largest genus of the family Primulaceae.
- There are 74 Ardisia species recorded in the Philippines, 62 of which are endemic. (6)

Botany
• A small evergreen tree that grows up to about 8-12 m. A shade-loving tree that grows well at low to medium altitude. Leaves are membranous spatulate (curved with broad rounded end) that alternately crowd slender branches. Flowers are small, white or pale purple, terminal,  and 5-petaled. Fruits are small spherical berries, about 8 mm, with small and round seeds.

• Remarks: A polymorphic ochlospecies. From plant to plant, or even within the same plant of different age or vigor, there is considerable variation in the size, shape of leaves, and in the density of indumentum. These variants intergrade considerably and show no geographical separation. They might well be regarded as a complex of species, which have a distinct tendency to merge into each other, although extreme forms are distinct enough. (7)

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- In primary forests from lowland to mossy, on ridges, up to 2400 m. (2)
- Also native to Borneo and Jawa. (2)
- Used as hedge or border plant.

Constituents
- No studies found.

Properties
- Studies on the genus Ardisia have shown potential antibacterial, antiangiogenic, cytotoxic, and antipyretic properties.
- Study suggested antibacterial property.

Parts used
Leaves.

Uses
Edibility
- Fruits, leaves, and flowers are edible.
- Young shoots and leaves are eaten as vegetable. After blanching, used as salad greens, mixed with tomatoes and onions.
- Flowers and fruits added as seasoning to fish dishes. (4)
- Berries used for making jams and jellies.
Folkloric
- No reported folkloric medicinal use in the Philippines.
Others
- Tannins: Bark is a source of tannins.

Studies
• Antibacterial / No Antibiofilm Formation / Leaves: Study of evaluated the antibacterial and antibiofilm- forming activities of Ardisia serratia ethanolic and aqueous extracts on E. coli, and MSSA (Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus) and MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). The ethanolic extract showed weak growth inhibitory activity against MSSA and MRSA with MICs of 2.61 and 3.29 mg/mL, respectively. with no biofilm inhibition activity, and no activity against E. coli. The aqueous extract showed not growth inhibition and negligible biofilm inhibition. (5)

Availability
- Wild-crafted.
- Ornamental cultivation.

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Ardisia serrata / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(2)
Primulaceae / Ardisia / Co's Digital Flora of the Philippines
(3)
Ardisia / Wikipedia
(4)
Ardisia serrata / National Parks: FLORA & FAUNA WEB
(5)
Antimicrobial Activity of Ardisia serrata (Cavs.) Pers. Ethanolic and Aqueous Leaf Extract on the Growth and Biofilm Formation of Selected Bacterial Isolates / Patrick Josemaria Altavas MD, Alfonso Rafael G Abaya MD, Remo Vittorio Thaddeus Abella MD, Danna Lee Acosta MD et al / ACTA MEDICA PHILIPPINA
(6)
Species of Philippine Ardisia Sw. (Primulaceae) / Liezel Molina Magtoto, Inocencio E Buot Jr / JNBR: Journal on New Biologica Reports, 2020; 9(3): pp 289-298 / eISSN: 2319-1104
(7)
New synonyms and combinations in Asiatic Ardisia (Myrsinaceae) / Hu Chi Ming / BLUMEA, 1999; 44(2): pp 391-406

DOI: It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page. (Citing and Using a (DOI) Digital Object Identifier)