Ilex vomitoria 'Dwarf'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Ilex vomitoria 'Nana'
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks vom-mit-TOR-ee-uh 'Dwarf'
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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'Dwarf' (synonym 'Nana') is a dwarf cultivar of yaupon holly. It is a woody, perennial, broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). It is native to the eastern United States and Mexico. The genus name Ilex is in reference to the similarity of the leaves to Quercus ilex or holm oak. The leaves of the parent plant were used for ceremonial tea, which, when consumed in large quantities, caused a cleansing now memorialized by the specific epithet vomitoria.
Dwarf yaupon is a compact, rounded shrub that rapidly grows 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. Plant it in average, well-drained, neutral to acidic soils in full sun to partial shade; It will produce more flowers in sun. It is resistant to Phytophthora root rot, drought, salt spray, and deer browsing. Propagate by stem cutting.
This cultivar was developed from several seedlings found in the wild in Louisiana. The original 'Dwarf' as introduced by S. Stokes was female. It is not a sport of 'Stokes Dwarf' (synonym 'Schilling's Dwarf'), which is male. It seems quite likely that the cultivars have been confused and mixed up in nurseries over the decades but all sold under the 'Dwarf' or 'Nana' name.
‘Dwarf’ yaupon has brittle, close-knit branches and dark green leaves that are yellow-green when new. This holly spreads wider than it is tall and can withstand heavy pruning, thus it can be used for topiary and in formal plantings. The dense evergreen leaves make it a good choice for use as a hedge, screen, windbreak, or barrier. Plant at the edge of a pond, in a naturalized area, around a patio, or in a recreational play area. The flowers attract bees, including specialized bees, and the fruits, which are very infrequently produced, attract small mammals and songbirds. Large, old plants can produce fruit more reliably, but this cultivar is not a good choice if fruits are desired.
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, and Other Problems: Holly leaf miner, spider mites, aphids, whitefly, and scale are occasional problems. Leaf spot, leaf rot, tar spot, and powdery mildew are potential disease problems.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests.
VIDEO: Part of a series of Native Plant Picks from the North Carolina Sea Grant Coastal Landscapes Initiative.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Children's Secret Garden at Wilson Botanical Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- vomitoria
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The wood from this plant was used by Native Americans to make arrows. The leaves were used for ceremonial tea, which, when consumed in large quantities, caused a cleansing now memorialized by the specific epithet. Also contains caffeine.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern United States and Mexico.
- Distribution:
- Southern United States from Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas.
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are attractive and food source to birds and small animals, but are rarely produced. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi. Leaves provide food source for deer.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Phytophthora root rot. Drought and salt spray tolerant, deer resistant.
- Edibility:
- Use caution. The young leaves may be picked, browned and dried in an oven, steeped in hot water and used to make Yaupon tea. It contains caffeine. In quantities, can be mildly toxic.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- 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)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- If pollinated, the flowers on female shrubs will mature into persistent red globose berry drupes, although they are not as common or as striking as those of the species. Berries that usually persist to spring.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Produces small, greenish-white flowers in spring that are solitary or in pairs and are clustered on peduncles in leaf axils.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, glossy dark green leaves that are 1/2"-1 1/2" long. New growth has a yellow-green tinge. Leaves are oval to ovate and are shallowly toothes around the margin to the base. Leaves are light green on the bottom. Leaves have no black glands beneath them.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Thin, smooth and light gray to almost white. As the tree ages, the bark might become a bit scaly.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Very young stems are purplish in color and turn silvery-gray as they age.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Screen/Privacy
- Security
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Insect Pests
- Salt
