Narrowleaf Dahoon Holly Ilex cassine
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks ka-SI-nee
- Description
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Ilex cassine is a native holly that tolerates wet and shady sites and is moderately salt tolerant, but does not tolerate the cold. It is a small tree native to the moist woods of the coastal plains. It is somewhat shrubby with red berries and gray bark. Grows up to 20-30 feet in the wild but is usually smaller in the landscape. Foliage lacks the prominent spines or teeth of the American holly. Very nice fruit set in fall and winter. Worthwhile and underused selection. It is relatively pest and disease-free.
Quick ID Hints:
- Underside of wax-myrtle type leaves have no glands
- Triangular stipular scar
- Orange-red berries
- Evergreen shrub/small tree, oblanceolate leaves
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Angustifolia'
has narrower leaves
- 'Angustifolia'
- 'Angustifolia'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Angustifolia'
has narrower leaves
- 'Angustifolia'
- 'Angustifolia'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- cassine
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- This plant has been used by Native Americans for soap and medicinal purposes.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States, Mexico, Bahamas, Cuba, Puerto Rico
- 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
- 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
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Conical
- Erect
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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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)
- 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:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- 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"). Occurs in clusters. Not a heavy fruiter.
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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:
- Yellow-white, insignificant 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:
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, narrowly oblanceolate. Leaf can be entirely covered with or have only a few sharp teeth at the apex, can be acute or rounded, cuneate, glabrous, and a medium green hue above and below.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Light Gray
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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
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Salt
- Wet Soil
