Inkberry Ilex glabra
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Inkberry:
Previously known as:
- Winterlia glabra
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks GLAY-bruh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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 to 10 feet 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.
The honey produced from the plant 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. The species is dioecious (meaning individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant, thus both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). It is pollinated by bees and is not self-fertile.
Habitat: Savannas, pine flatwoods, pocosin margins, swamps, primarily in wetlands, but extending upslope even into sandhills, with a clay lens or spodic horizon below to maintain additional moisture
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. Prone to Phytophthora root rot– look for resistant alternative species if this disease is in your area.
- 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:
- 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
- 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
- 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