Myrsinaceae

Myrsine Family

By: George Rogers

A warm-climate woody family of about 30 genera with 1000 species. Leaves and perianth marked with elongate translucent glands (not readily seen in Myrsine). Leaves alternate, simple. Flowers usually dioecious, small, radially symmetrical. Stamens opposite the petals. Ovary single-celled. (TOM, LON)

Two native species are important in South Florida Landscaping (data largely from WU2):

1. Flowers in an axillary cymes or terminal panicle…2

1. Flowers borne along the stems…Myrsine (Myrsine guianensis)

2. Flowers in terminal panicles…Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides)

2. Flowers in axillary cymes (WU2)…3

3. Leaf margins crisped (like fried bacon); fruit red or white…Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata)

3. Leaf margins entire; fruit black…Shoebutton Ardisia (Ardisia elliptica)