Ilex glabra
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks GLAY-bruh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Inkberry is a woody, multi-branched, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). It is native to the SE USA. The species epithet means “smooth” in Latin, a description of the plant’s leaf surface.
Inkberry prefers a site in full sun to partial shade and clay or sandy acidic soils with good drainage. However, it tolerates moist, even occasionally wet soil. In its native habitat, it grows beside swamps and bogs. It is moderately salt-tolerant. Inkberry grows 5 to 10 feet tall, 5 to 8 feet wide, and suckers to form colonies. Plants generally need minimal pruning unless used as a hedge. If desired, prune in early spring just before new growth begins.
Both male and female plants are necessary for inkberry to produce the berries that provide winter interest and are enjoyed by many species of birds and small mammals. Inkberry has glossy, dark green leaves that remain attractive in winter if temperatures do not fall too far below zero. The greenish-white flowers that appear in spring attract pollinators, including honeybees. The honey produced by the bees is considered outstanding. In addition to attracting honeybees, this plant serves as a host plant for the Henry's elfin (Callophrys henrici) butterfly.
Our two, native, black-fruited species can be distinguished by their leaves. Inkberry (I. glabra) has leaves less than ½ inch wide, widest above the middle (obovate), and crenate in the distal half. Big gallbery (I. coriacea) has leaves about 1 inch wide, widest at or near the middle, and margins that are entire or have a few, irregularly spaced spines.
Its upright, rounded habit makes inkberry an effective hedge, windbreak, or privacy screen. Also, consider using it in a butterfly, children's, pollinator, rain or winter garden.
Fire Risk: This plant has a high flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: The native holly leafminer, Japanese wax scale, and southern red mites are the most frequently reported pests.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Entryway Garden, Cabarrus County Extension Office
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Gem Box®
Dwarf female, dense and ball-shaped; good Boxwood alternative - 'Nigra'
Similar to 'Shamrock', commercially available, compact - 'Shamrock'
compact form 3'-5' - Strongbox®
Mounded and dense female, resistant to pests and disease; good Boxwood alternative
- Gem Box®
- Gem Box®, 'Nigra', 'Shamrock', Strongbox®
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Gem Box®
Dwarf female, dense and ball-shaped; good Boxwood alternative - 'Nigra'
Similar to 'Shamrock', commercially available, compact - 'Shamrock'
compact form 3'-5' - Strongbox®
Mounded and dense female, resistant to pests and disease; good Boxwood alternative
- Gem Box®
- Gem Box®, 'Nigra', 'Shamrock', Strongbox®
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- glabra
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Dried and roasted inkberry leaves were first used by Native Americans to brew a black tea-like drink, hence the sometimes used common name of Appalachian tea for this shrub.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Alabama
- Distribution:
- coastal plain from Nova Scotia to Florida to Louisiana
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant provides nectar for pollinators. It is a larval host plant for Henry's Elfin (Callophrys henrici) larvae which appear from February to May and have one flight. Adult Henry's Elfin butterflies feed on flower nectar. Other adult butterflies and bees are attracted to the blossoms as well. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi. The plant's fruits are eaten by many species of birds, including bobwhite quail and wild turkey and small mammals. Leaves are eaten by white-tailed deer and rabbits. This is also a cover plant for deer and other birds.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Edible fruit
- Screening
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wind Break
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Soil compaction tolerant, deer resistant
- Edibility:
- Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Pea-sized, jet black, berry-like drupes (inkberries to 3/8" in diameter) which mature in September and last through November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Inkberries are dioecious, needing both male and female plants to produce fruits. Flowers are fairly inconspicuous. Male plants have flowers in cymes while the female plant will bear flowers in either cymes or as a single. Blooms from May to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The Inkberry has alternate, simple, spineless, flat, ovate to elliptic, glossy, dark green leaves (to 1.5” long) that have smooth margins with several marginal teeth near the apex. Leaves usually remain attractive in winter unless temperatures dip well below zero.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Multiple stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Erosion
- Pollution
- Rabbits
- Salt
- Wet Soil
