Common Winterberry Holly

Common Winterberry Holly

Ilex verticillata

Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family)

▲ shrub with fruit in late summer

▲ ▼ leaves, fruit

Location near campus: toward west-center of Xeriscape Garden; Xeriscape Garden is at northwest corner of National and Linwood, about 3/4 mile south of campus on National Avenue.

Ilex verticillata: Common Winterberry

• leaves deciduous, alternate, simple, elliptic to obovate with pointed tip and serrated margins; dark green above, lighter green below
• stems brown to purplish brown
• grows 6-10' tall and wide into an oval-rounded shape; may sucker from stem bases to form dense thicket
• dioecious; produces abundant red berries (or other color, depending on cultivar) in fall through winter which are very attractive on leafless plants
• prefers full sun; likes very wet, swampy soils, acid pH and high organic matter content
• native to Missouri