Ardisia japonica var. japonica (marlberry, "Yabukoji")

Japanese name: ヤブコウジ （藪柑子）
Scientific name: Ardisia japonica var. japonica

[Overview]
An evergreen low shrub found in woods in hilly areas.
It has long creeping stems that bear no leaves.
It is about 10–30 cm tall, with erect stems that do not branch.
Leaves are simple and arranged alternately but appear whorled on the upper 2 nodes or so of the stem; they are elliptic, 6–13 cm long and 2–5 cm wide, with pointed tips and low serrations on the margins.
The leaves are almost hairless on both sides, or have fine soft hairs only on the midrib of the underside.
The leaf stalk is 7–13 mm long.
Umbels emerge from the leaf axils or the axils of scale leaves, bearing 2–5 flowers that hang downward.
The flowers are white to white tinged with crimson, about 6–8 mm across; the corolla is 5-lobed.
The fruit is spherical, 5–6 mm across, and ripens red.

[History]
Because its leaves stay green even in winter and it bears red fruit in winter, it has long been used as an auspicious plant for New Year alcove decorations.
It is mentioned in the Man'yoshu under the name yamatachibana.
It is one of the classical horticultural plants; in the Edo period many cultivars were created, differing in leaf variation and fruit color, and there was a boom in the Meiji period as well, but not many cultivars survive today.

[Uses]
The rhizome is called shikingyu as a crude drug and is used medicinally.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or cuttings.
For seed, completely remove the pulp from fully ripe fruit, leaving only the seeds, and sow them immediately.
A bright shady to shady place with well-drained, moderately moist, fertile soil and no exposure to strong wind is suitable.
In winter, protect it from cold wind.
For potted plants, water when the soil surface dries.
For plants in the garden, watering is unnecessary unless the soil becomes extremely dry.
Excess moisture causes root rot.
Fertilizer is not particularly needed.
Aphids and leaf rollers can occur.

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