Tall Inkberry Holly Ilex coriacea
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks kor-ee-ay-SEE-ah
- Description
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Tall Gallberry is an evergreen shrub in the holly family that is found along the coastal plain from VA to FL and west to TX. It can reach heights of 20' with a very open crown. It is dioecious so a male and female plant of the same species that bloom at the same time is needed for fruit production.
This plant prefers moist to wet sandy soils in partial sun. Use along streams or ponds, in naturalized areas, around bogs and moist woodlands.
The flowers are a good nectar source and are utilized by beekeepers for making honey. The berries are eaten by birds and small mammals.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- coriacea
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern, U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas
- Wildlife Value:
- Good source of nectar for bees. Drupes attract birds and small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Open
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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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Small nearly black shiny berry-like ⅓ inch drupe displays from September to October. Drops soon after maturing.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Dioecious small greenish-white flowers in axillary clusters, bloom from April to May
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Prickly
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate simple irregularly serrated or spine-tipped. 1.5"-3" long oblong, oval to obovate leathery shiny dark green above and lighter dull underneath with a few hairs. Pointed or rounded at the tip, tapering to the base.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Smooth greyish brown mottled bark with scattered lenticels .
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
