About Ardisia elliptica Thunb.
Ardisia elliptica Thunb. is a tropical understory shrub that can grow up to 5 meters tall. Undamaged individuals growing in forest habitats typically have a single main stem that produces short, perpendicular branches. Its leaves are elliptic to elliptic-obovate, have entire margins, are leathery in texture, and grow in an alternate arrangement. Umbellate inflorescences form in the leaf axils of the branches. The plant bears light pink petals. Its fruits are drupes that change color as they mature, shifting from red when partially mature to deep purple or black when fully ripe. The fruit pulp stains fingers a deep purple. Its seeds are roughly spherical, with a diameter of approximately 5 millimeters.
