The glossy leaves of the coral ardisia gleamed in the midmorning light as UF second-year pharmacy student Tina Chen yanked it from the ground in one swift motion.
The plant, known for its decorative red berries, was the focus of an invasive plant pull at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park on Saturday.
“If you don’t pull on it by its roots, it will grow back,” said Chen, 23.
About 20 volunteers gathered at the park to remove the plants, which are a big problem on the prairie because they cover vast areas and choke out native plants, said Heather Van Heuveln, UF alumna and park volunteer through AmeriCorps.
“The coral ardisia shades and crowds out everything,” she said.
With its waxy leaves and red berries, the Japanese plant was brought to Florida to be used as decoration, she said. The berries have about an 80 to 90 percent germination rate, allowing the plant to spread and take over areas of the park with ease.
“When the seeds fall off the plants, it creates a carpet,” she said.
Park Service Specialist Amber Roux said events like this are important to educate and show people the harm invasive plants can do to the natural environment.
“This event gives and spreads awareness and removes plants like this,” she said. “It’s so important.”
Patrick and Susan McCoy, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., uproot coral ardisia at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park on Saturday. The McCoys joined their son and other volunteers to aid in the removal of the invasive exotic plant in honor of National Public Lands Day.
