Ardisia japonica

One of the auspicious New Year decorations. Its Japanese name, "Hyakuryō," is derived from the Chinese name "Bai Liang Jin" (百两金).

Hyakuryō (百両, scientific name: Ardisia crispa) is a cold-hardy, evergreen shrub native to Japan, China, Korea, and India, belonging to the primrose family (Primulaceae) and the genus Ardisia. It is also known as Karatachibana (唐橘). A variety with white fruits is called Shiromitachibana (白実橘). Manryō (万両), Hyakuryō (百両), and Ichiryō (一両) are all plants from the same family.

The plant grows to a height of about 30–70 cm. Its green leaves are slender, elongated, and lack serrations. Between July and August, the plant produces umbel-like clusters of small white flowers, approximately 0.8 cm in diameter, emerging from the leaf axils. Each inflorescence bears about 10 flowers. The corolla is deeply divided into five lobes, which curl back.

In winter, the plant produces red or white berries (Shiromitachibana, 白実橘) with a diameter of 0.6–0.8 cm. The berries are in season from December to May, with their red fruits remaining even after New Year's, making them a popular choice for auspicious New Year decorations. The plant is commonly used as a garden shrub or potted plant.

Origin of the Name
The genus name Ardisia comes from the Latin word "ardis," meaning "spearhead," referring to the shape of the anthers. The species name crispa is Latin for "wrinkled, curly, or wavy," describing the leaf shape.

The Japanese name "Hyakuryō" (百両) is derived from the Chinese name "Bai Liang Jin" (百两金). The names Senryō (千両) and Manryō (万両) reflect their higher fruit counts compared to Hyakuryō. However, the name Manryō was coined only in the late Edo period.
The Japanese name Karatachibana (唐橘) means "Chinese Tachibana," indicating that the plant originated from China and resembles Tachibana (Citrus tachibana).

Common Name: Hyakuryō (百両)
Scientific Name: Ardisia crispa
Alternative Name: Karatachibana (唐橘)
Classification: Kingdom: Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Order: Ericales, Family: Primulaceae, Genus: Ardisia, Species: A. crispa
Origin: Japan, China, Korea, India
Height: 30–70 cm
Leaf Texture: Leathery and glossy
Leaf Color: Green
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate (elongated)
Leaf Size: Length 8–20 cm, Width 2–4 cm
Serration: None
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Blooming Period: July–August
Flower Location: Leaf axils
Inflorescence Type: Umbel-like
Flower Diameter: 0.8 cm
Flower Color: White
Fruit Color: Red or white
Fruit Viewing Period: December–May
Fruit Type: Drupe
Fruit Shape: Spherical
Fruit Diameter: 0.6–0.8 cm

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