Ardisia elliptica Thunb., Nov. Gen. Pl. 8 (1798)

Latin for 'elliptic'.

Synonyms
Ardisia kotoensis Hayata
Ardisia littoralis Andrews
Ardisia sorsogonensis Elmer ex Merr.
Ardisia squamulosa C.Presl
Ardisia umbellata Roxb.
Bladhia elliptica (Thunb.) Nakai
Bladhia kotoensis (Hayata) Nakai
Bladhia squamulosa (C.Presl) Nakai
Tinus squamulosa (C. Presl) Kuntze

Description
Small tree up to 13 m tall and 20 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined but venation barely visible, glabrous. Flowers ca. 13 mm diameter, pinkish-purple, placed in panicles. Fruits ca. 5 mm diameter, pinkish-red with dots, fleshy drupes.

Ecology
Coastal along beaches, mangrove edges, tidal riversides and peat-swamps up to 30 m altitude. On sandy soils.

Uses
The roots are used medicinally at child birth. Fruits are edible.

Distribution
Sri Lanka, Nicobar Islands, Indo-China and Thailand to New Guinea and Australia. In Borneo collected throughout the island along the coast.

Local names
Borneo: Kayu lundu, Limjong, Merjima, Pis-pis, Sarusup, Semporna, Serusop, Serusup, Surusup, Tapiok, Tursop laut.