New Line Drawings!
A Case of MISTAKEN IDENTITY?
It is easily possible to confuse the two small trees shown here. However, one
is a desirable native to be left alone in Florida; the other is a highly invasive non-native
in the state. Both are Ardisia species. Both grow in the same habitats of
southern Florida. They grow to about the same height (up to 20 feet), have relatively large,
leathery, simple leaves with smooth margins, and both produce hanging clusters of black fruits.
(These line drawings are by Sandra Murphy-Pak, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of
Florida. With proper attribution, and in not-for-sale-items only, please feel free to use these
two line drawings for manuals, brochures, reports, proposals, web sites...)
Marlberry
The native plant, marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides), is somewhat less robust and
less leafy, although it may be taller, than shoebutton. Marlberry flowers and fruit
clusters are terminal, hanging at the ends of branches. Color pictures of marlberry
may be found here.
Ardisia escallonioides
Native in Florida
Shoebutton
The invasive, non-native shoebutton (Ardisia elliptica), is somewhat different: 1) its
flowers are tinged mauve (between red and pink); 2) its new leaves are reddish; and 3) its flowers
and fruit clusters hang from leaf axils along the branches, rather than at the ends of the branches. Color pictures of marlberry
may be found here.
Ardisia elliptica
Non-Native Invasive in Florida
CAIP-WEBSITE@ufl.edu
Copyright 2002 University of Florida