Ilex glabra
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Winterlia glabra
- Description
-
Ilex glabra, commonly called inkberry or gallberry, is a slow-growing, upright-rounded, stoloniferous, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the holly family. It typically matures to 5-10’ tall, and can spread by root suckers to form colonies. It is native to the coastal plain from Nova Scotia to Florida to Louisiana where it is most commonly found in sandy woods and peripheries of swamps and bogs. This plant is moderately salt-tolerant and adaptable to both light and heavy soils.
Inkberry is an upright, erect, rounded, much-branched shrub that becomes open with age Prune to shape in early spring just before new growth begins. Plants generally need minimal pruning unless used as a hedge (perhaps it is best grown as an informal hedge). Remove root suckers regularly if spread is not desired.
Gallberry honey is a highly-rated honey that results from bees feeding on inkberry flowers. This honey is locally produced in certain parts of the Southeastern U.S. in areas where beekeepers release bees from late April to early June to coincide with inkberry flowering time. White-tailed deer may browse the leaves and twigs, although this plant is somewhat resistant to damage by deer and is rabbit resistant.
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: Leaf spot is an occasional problem. Spider mites may appear, especially in dry conditions. Susceptible to chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) in high pH (alkaline) soils.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Shamrock'
compact form 3'-5'
- 'Shamrock'
- Tags:




- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Shamrock'
compact form 3'-5'
- 'Shamrock'
- Tags:
-
-
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:
- 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 is a host for the Henry Elfin's butterfly. 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 birds and small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Edible fruit
- Screening
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wind Break
- 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
- Shrub
- 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
- 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 early fall and persist throughout winter to early spring unless consumed by local bird populations
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- 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.
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Leaves:
- 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
- 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:
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator 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