Ilex cassine
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks ka-SI-nee
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Ilex cassine, or Dahoon, is a native holly that tolerates wet and shady sites and is moderately salt tolerant; however, it is not winter hardy and does not tolerate the cold. It is a small tree native to the moist woods of the coastal plains, typically found uncultivated in swamps and in rich moist soils. Occasionally it is also found on high sandy banks of pine barren streams. Dahoon is relatively rare and may be difficult to find.
Dahoon is somewhat shrubby and dense with red berries and gray bark and while it grows up to 20 to 30 feet in the wild, it is usually smaller in the landscape. The foliage lacks the prominent spines or teeth of the American holly and the plant produces a nice fruit set in fall and winter. Dahoon is dioecious (meaning individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). It is pollinated by bees and the plant is not self-fertile. It is a worthwhile and underused selection for the home landscape.
Dahoon will grow in full sun or partial shade and prefers a moist site and acidic soil. The plant does not do well when its roots are disturbed,so you should place the plants into their permanent positions, and provide some winter protection for their first year or two. Flowers are produced on the current year's growth. The plant is very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back to old wood if required.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Dahoon is relatively pest and disease-free.
Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Angustifolia'
has narrower leaves
- 'Angustifolia'
- 'Angustifolia'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Angustifolia'
has narrower leaves
- 'Angustifolia'
- 'Angustifolia'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- cassine
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- This plant has been used by Native Americans for soap and medicinal purposes.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States, Mexico, Bahamas, Cuba, Puerto Rico
- Distribution:
- Virginia to Florida and west to Texas.
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Winter food sources for birds and wildlife. Fruits are attractive to birds. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wind Break
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Particularly resistant to pests and diseases
- Edibility:
- Use caution. Human consumption of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Conical
- Erect
- Open
- Oval
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- 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
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Produces a fruit that has a globose berry-like drupe, is red-orange in color, and is very small in size (less than 1/10 of an inch). Occurs in clusters from fall through winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Produces yellow-white, but insignificant, blossoms in spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cuneate
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate, simple, and narrowly oblanceolate. Leaves are usually entire, but can have a few, sharp teeth at the apex. They can be acute or rounded, cuneate, glabrous, and a medium green hue above and below. The underside of the wax-myrtle type leaves have no glands.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Light Gray
- White
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark of branches is smooth and pale gray or white, depending on the lichens growing on the bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Insect Pests
- Salt
- Wet Soil