Tiger tongue red (scientific name: Ardisia mamillata Hance) is a purple cattle family, a dwarf shrub of the genus Purple Cow, creeping wood rhizome, erect stem no more than 15 cm tall, leaves alternate or clustered at the top of the stem, leaves inverted ovate to oblong inverted lanceolate, apex sharply pointed or blunt, with inconspicuous rounded teeth on the edges, green or dark purple-red on both sides, rust-colored or sometimes purple-red rough hairs, umbelliferative inflorescence, single-born at the tip of the lateral special flower branches, calyx base conjoined, Sepal lanceolate or narrow, round lanceolate, petals pink; thin white; ovate; anther lanceolate, ovary spherical, flowering from June to July, fruiting from November to January of the following year, sometimes up to June.
It is found in Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong and Fujian in China, where it grows under dense forests and in wet places. It is also found in Vietnam. Tiger tongue red can both observe the leaves and appreciate the fruit, purple leaves on both sides of the hair, bright red spherical fruit is often available in all seasons, suitable for shady plant ornamentation in Jiangnan gardens, can also be potted in the family room. It has a high ornamental value.
Tiger tongue red plant shape compact, fruit, leaf can be ornamental all year round, the flower is small and elegant, the fruit is spherical, soybean size, red, the fruit is hung in turn throughout the year, can be placed indoors for a long time; the leaf surface has purple-red fur, the ornamental leaves are observed from different angles to show luster and colorful, because the fruit is red and fiery, symbolizing the festive and auspicious, with its precious characteristics of viewing fruits and leaves, in 1999 "Kunming World Horticultural Exposition" won the first place in the Indoor Ornamental Leaf Plant Award.
