Subshrubs, stoloniferous, 0.02-0.3(-0.4) m; branchlets minutely rufous-puberulent, glabrescent. Leaves pseudoverticillate, at times appearing subopposite; petiole 6-10 mm, minutely puberulent; blade elliptic to obovate or lanceolate, 4-7 × 1.5-4 cm, margins serrulate, flat, apex acute, surfaces minutely rufous-puberulent, glabrescent. Inflorescences axillary or subterminal, subumbels, pedunculate, 3-5-flowered; peduncle slender, ca. 5 mm. Pedicels usually curved, 0.7-1 cm, puberulent. Flowers: sepals 5(-6), ovate, to 1.5 mm, margins entire, (ciliate), apex obtuse or acute to acuminate, sometimes punctate, glabrous; petals 5(-6), pink or white, broadly ovate, 4(-5) mm, margins entire, hyaline, membranous, apex acute, densely punctate; stamens shorter than petals; anthers ovate to narrowly ovate, apex acute, punctate abaxially; ovary glabrous; ovules ca. 15, triseriate. Drupes red, becoming blackish, 5-6 mm diam., smooth, ± punctate.

Flowering Apr-Jun; fruiting Nov-Jan. Acidic soil; 0-200 m; introduced; La., Tex.; Asia (China, Japan, Korea).

Ardisia japonica has naturalized from cultivation; it does not appear to be invasive.