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Lusterleaf Holly Ilex latifolia

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Ilex macrophylla
  • Ilex tarajo
Phonetic Spelling
EYE-leks lat-ih-FOE-lee-ah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The lusterleaf holly or Tarajo holly is a large, dense, pyramidal, broad-leafed, evergreen shrub or small tree that grows up to 20 to 25 feet tall and about 15 to 25 feet wide. The leaves are 4 to 8 inches long, dark green, and leathery with serrate margins. Small yellowish-green flowers emerge in the spring. This species is dioecious and both male and female plants are required to produce fruits. The female plant produces fruits if pollinated. The fruits are small red berries that ripen in the fall and persist through the winter months.

This plant is native to Central and Southern Japan and Southern China and is often found growing in broad-leaf forests.

The genus name, Ilex, comes from the Latin, Quercus ilex, for holm oak, and refers to the similarity in the shape of the leaves. The specific epithet, latifolia, is Latin, which means broad leaves.

Plant in full sun to partial shade in acidic well-drained soil. It will tolerate a wide range of soil types including moist to dry. It also tolerates drought, shade, air pollution, poor soils, and clay soils and is easy to transplant. It does have a slow growth rate, but it may not thrive in areas with high heat and humidity such as USDA zones 8 and 9. This holly can be pruned to manage its size. Propagation of this plant can be difficult. Hardwood cutting sometimes root and the seeds can take years to germinate. It is pollinated by bees and is not self-fertile.

The lusterleaf holly is one of the largest growing hollies. From a distance, the leaves may be mistaken for a Southern Magnolia. The shiny, glossy leaves are the largest of any holly. It is an excellent evergreen specimen for the home landscape, and woodland setting, and can also be used as a hedge or espalier.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring       Foliage:  Year-round          Fruits:  Fall and Winter

Quick ID Hints:

  • large, evergreen shrub or tree with a pyramidal to rounded, dense, multi-stemmed habit
  • light to dark gray, smooth, and mottled bark
  • large, broad, oblong, glossy, leathery, dark green leaves measuring 4 to 8 inches long  
  • the leaf margins are serrate with a black gland at end of each tooth
  • tiny black triangular stipule at the base of the leaf.
  • clusters of small yellowish-green flowers in the spring
  • dense clusters of small orangish-red berries in the fall and winter

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant has no serious insect pests or diseases. Potential pests include leaf miners, mealy bugs, scales, spider mites, and nematodes. This plant may be susceptible to root rot, armillaria, and phytophthora. Alkaline soils will cause the leaves to yellow.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Mary Nell', 'Mary Nell Sibling', 'Purple Power', 'Snow Flash', 'Wirt L. Winn'
Tags:
#cultivars#evergreen#small tree#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#shrub#yellow-green#pyramidal#yellow flowers#nectar plant#shade garden#large leaves#showy fruits#specialized bees#large shrub#pest resistant#poisonous fruits#deer browsing plant#deer resistant#glossy leaves#red fruits#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#fantz#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#bird friendly#bee friendly#poisonous if ingested#dense#landscape plant sleuths course#tea#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Mary Nell', 'Mary Nell Sibling', 'Purple Power', 'Snow Flash', 'Wirt L. Winn'
Tags:
#cultivars#evergreen#small tree#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#shrub#yellow-green#pyramidal#yellow flowers#nectar plant#shade garden#large leaves#showy fruits#specialized bees#large shrub#pest resistant#poisonous fruits#deer browsing plant#deer resistant#glossy leaves#red fruits#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#fantz#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#bird friendly#bee friendly#poisonous if ingested#dense#landscape plant sleuths course#tea#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ilex
    Species:
    latifolia
    Family:
    Aquifoliaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The leaves are used as a tea substitute. The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and Southern Japan, and Southern China
    Distribution:
    Native: China South-Central, China Southeast, and Japan. Introduced: United States--OR, TN
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract bees and fruits are enjoyed by birds. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer damage
    Edibility:
    Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Multi-stemmed
    Pyramidal
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • 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
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a deep, dull orange-red, globose berry-like drupe that is borne in dense clusters. The drupe is less than 0.5 inches in diameter. Fruits are on short peduncles in axillary clusters surrounding the stems. They ripen in the fall and may persist into spring.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are small, 1/4 inch in diameter, dull, yellowish-green, fragrant flowers, and 4-petaled. They bloom in spring and form in clusters of 1 to 3. Pistillate cyme is in the leaf axils of the current season's growth. The staminate solitary is in the leaf axils of the current season's growth.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Waxy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Obtuse
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are alternate, simple, and leathery with a lustrous dark green color above, and a yellowish-green on the undersides. Leaves are oblong to ovate-oblong, obtuse, or shortly acuminate, and serrate with a black gland at end of each tooth. They grow between 4 and 8 inches long and 1.5 to 3 inches wide. Some leaves may or may not be convex. There is a tiny black triangular stipule at the base of the leaf.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    The bark is mottled, light or dark gray, and smooth.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are green on current season growth, and turn gray-green to gray-brown by year 2 or 3. They are often densely pubescent on young stems. Dense and rigid at maturity.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Patio
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Minor toxicity. Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or other illness in humans.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits