[1] They are distributed in the Americas, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, mainly in the tropics.

[4] One species, Ardisia japonica is one of the 50 fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine.

The flowers have usually 4 or 5 green sepals and a bell-shaped corolla of usually 4 or 5 white or pink petals.

[2][3] The defining characteristic of the genus is the small tube formed at the center of the flower by the stamens, which are joined at their bases.

[5] Several Ardisia species are the sources of the chemical compounds known as ardisiaquinones.