NSW WeedWise

Shoebutton ardisia (Ardisia elliptica)

Also known as: shoebutton daisy
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Shoebutton ardisia is a branched shrub or small tree with purplish-red or black berries. It forms dense infestations and outcompetes native plants.

Profile

Control

Biosecurity duty

Profile

How does this weed affect you?

Shoebutton ardisia is a fast-growing environmental weed that:

  • forms dense infestations, sometimes more than 400 plants per square metre
  • outcompetes native plants and prevents native seedlings from growing.

What does it look like?

Shoebutton ardisia is a branched shrub or small tree up to 5 m tall.

Leaves are:

  • often reddish when young, green when older
  • 5-13 cm long and 2.5-4.5 cm wide
  • leathery and hairless
  • on stalks up to 16 mm long.
  • grow alternately along the stems.

Flowers are:

  • star-shaped
  • pale pink or pale lavender, mauve or white
  • 6-13 mm in diameter
  • in clusters in the upper leaf forks of the main branches.

Fruit are:

  • berry-like with one seed
  • green, turning deep purplish red then black when ripe.
  • round, sometimes slightly flattened
  • 5-12 mm in diameter

Seeds are:

  • round and surrounded by whitish pulp
  • hard
  • 5-6 mm in diameter.

Stems are:

  • branched
  • angular
  • 3-7 mm thick.

Where is it found?

Shoebutton ardisia is often grown as a garden plant in warm parts of Australia.

In NSW, it grows in the North Coast region from the Tweed Shire to Port Macquarie Hastings region.

It is native to the subcontinent, south and southeast Asia. It is a weed in coastal areas of the Northern Territory, north Queensland, the United States of America, the Caribbean and several Pacific islands.

What type of environment does it grow in?

Shoebutton ardisia grows in tropical and sub-tropical climates. Plants are very shade tolerant. They can grow in full sun, but the foliage is likely to be damaged. They are not frost or drought tolerant. Shoebutton ardisia prefers wet areas and grows:

  • in rainforests and other moist forests and woodlands
  • along river and creek banks
  • on disturbed sites.

Maps and records

  • Recorded presence of Shoebutton ardisia during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2026)
    These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.

How does it spread?

By seed

Plants can produce seed after 2-4 years (up to 400 per plant/ year).

Seeds are spread by birds and other animals that eat the fruit, and by people dumping garden waste.

References

Brisbane City Council. (n.d.) Brisbane City Council, Weed Identification Tool: Shoebutton ardisia Ardisia elliptica. Retrieved 27 January from: https://weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/shoebutton-ardisia

Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) 2026. Species profile Ardisia elliptica. Retrieved 15 January 2026 from:  https://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=52  

Hosking, J. R., Conn, B. J., Lepschi, B. J., & Barker, C. H. (2007). Plant species first recognised as naturalised for New South Wales in 2002 and 2003, with additional comments on species recognised as naturalised in 2000–2001. Cunninghamia, 10(1), 139-166.

Identic Pty Ltd. and Lucid (2016). Environmental Weeds of Australia Fact sheet: Ardisia elliptica Thunb. Retrieved: 15 January 2026 from: https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/ardisia_elliptica.htm

PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved15 January 2026 from: https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Ardisia~elliptica

Rojas-Sandoval, J., Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. & Pasiecznik, N. (2013). Cabi data sheet: Ardisia elliptica (shoebutton ardisia). Retrieved 27 January 2026 from: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/108066#CF849AA3-1AAF-4650-AF6C-D31DB8B7C557

More information

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Control

The seed of shoebutton ardisia can remain viable for up to 5 years, so follow up control of seedlings will be required after the initial removal of adult plants.

Prevention

Remove planted shoebutton ardisia from gardens and check the site regularly for seedlings.

Physical removal

Seedlings and small plants can be hand pulled or dug out. This is easiest when the soil is damp and loose.

Disposal

Contact your local council for advice on how to dispose of shoebutton ardisia.

Chemical control

Spraying

Spray actively growing plants. Apply to all of the foliage.

Cut stump method

Cut the stems horizontally, preferably within 10 cm of the ground. Apply the herbicide to the surface of the stem within 15 seconds.

Splatter gun

Splatter-guns use small amounts of concentrated herbicide. They spray large droplets that limit spray drift. They are useful for very dense infestations of weeds that are difficult to reach.

Herbicide options

WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au

See Using herbicides for more information.

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Fluroxypyr 200 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 500 mL to 1 L per 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock feed for 7 days after application. See label for further information.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Fluroxypyr 333 g/L (Starane™ Advanced)
Rate: 300 to 600 mL per 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock food for 7 days after application. See label for more information.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 200 mL per 10 L of water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: One part product to 9 parts water
Comments: Splatter gun
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 10 - 20 g per 100 L water plus a non-ionic surfactant at a rate of 100mL/ 100L.
Comments: Spot spray. Follow label and permit directions and critical comments.
Withholding period: Nil (recommended not to graze for 7 days before treatment and for 7 days after treatment to allow adequate chemical uptake in target weeds).
Herbicide group: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High

Picloram 44.7 g/L + Aminopyralid 4.47 g/L (Vigilant II ®)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Cut stump application. Apply a 3-5 mm layer of gel for stems less than 20 mm in diameter. Apply a 5 mm layer of gel to stumps over 20 mm in diameter.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area Duty
All of NSW General Biosecurity Duty
All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.
North Coast Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found.
*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here

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For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.

Reviewed 2026

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au