Purple ardisia.
Ardisia purpurea

Family: Primulaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows to a height of 10 m tall. The trunk can be 15 cm across. The leaves are alternate and rather slender. They are pointed at both ends. The flowers are about 1 cm long. They grow on branched stalks at the ends of branches. The flowers are white or pink. They have a sweet scent. The flower stalks are about 3 cm long. The fruit are dark blue or purple. They are round and about 1 cm across.

There are about 250-300 Ardisia species. They are mainly in the tropics. Also put in the family Myrsinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs from Luzon to Mindanao in the Philippines. It grows in undisturbed mixed dipterocarp forests up to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The flowers and fruit are cooked as a flavouring with fish.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Baluluos, Jempri, Kayu lundong, Kayu mubu, Lempeni kembang ungu, Obah, Raho-raho, Sarusop, Tagpo, Tinbulus

Synonyms

Ardisia boissieri A. DC.; Ardisia clementis Elmer; Ardisia hasseltii Blume ex Scheff.; Ardisia lanaensis Mez.; Ardisia leschenaultii A. DC.; Ardisia mucronata Blume; Ardisia plagioneura Scheff.; Ardisia sarasinii Mez; Ardisia speciosa Blume; Ardisia sumbavana Miq.; Ardisia tenuiramis Miq.; Tinus lanceolata (Roxb.) Kuntze; Tinus plagioneura (Scheff.) Kuntze; Tinus sumbavana (Miq.) Kuntze; Tinus tenuiramis (Miq.) Kuntze;