Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 36-72 ft. , 12-36 ft.
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Texture: Smooth
Breeding System: Dioecious
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: In the westernmost portions of its range, height is normally from 15-25 feet, with 50-foot trees occasional. In moister regions, averages 40-50 feet, with occasional 75-100 foot trees.
Leaf Color: Green
Fruit Length: 1/4 to 1/3 inch
Fruit Color: Red, sometimes orange or yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Tiny flowers

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MS , MO , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV , DC
Native Distribution: VA to n. FL, w. to s.e. MO & e. TX; also coastal areas from MA to MD
Native Habitat: Shaded woods and stream and river banks. Uplands and lowlands. Primarily an understory tree.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet , Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Drought Tolerance: Low , Medium
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained, acidic soils. Acid-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam. Not so good in clay.
Conditions Comments: For clay soils in areas of high humidity (like Houston), cultivar Savannah is recommended.
Texas comments: Typically does not get as large in Texas as farther east, but will grow in sandy Post Oak areas.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Long-living, Understory, Screens, Fruits ornamental, Attractive, Mass planting
Use Wildlife: Berries attract many bird and small mammal species. Also provides cover and nesting sites. Larval plant for Henrys Elfin butterfly.
Use Other: White wood used in furniture, woodworking, and other products.
Warning: All Ilex species may be somewhat toxic if ingested. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Henrys Elfin butterfly.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Ilex opaca is a larval host and/or nectar source for:

Elf (Microtia elva) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds , Semi-hardwood Cuttings
Description: Seeds germinate best if planted immediately after collection. They may be pretreated with scarified or double-stratification but the essential element seems to be time. Once internal conditions in the seed are right (it may take years), it will germinate in warm, moist conditions. The sex of the seedlings wont be discernible for 5 to 12 years.
Seed Treatment: Some benefit may be obtained from 30-60 days treatment at 68-86 degrees followed by 60-90 days of 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Supplemental water may be necessary in drier sands. For those who dont like the grand, magnolia-like look of branches extending to the ground, pruning for a visible trunk may be desirable.

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Mr. Smarty Plants says

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From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS

Bibliography

Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski and Wasowski
Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ilex opaca in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ilex opaca in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ilex opaca