Ilex vomitoria 'Nana'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks vom-mit-TOR-ee-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Ilex vomitoria 'Nana' is a dwarf cultivar of I. vomitoria, a species of evergreen shrubs or small trees native to the eastern United States and often found native in North Carolina. The 'Nana' cultivar, or Dwarf Yaupon, is a dense, compact, rounded shrub that grows up to 5' tall, unlike its parent which can reach 20 feet in height. Dwarf Yaupon has brittle, close-knit branches and dark green leaves (1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long) that are yellow-green when new. If pollinated, the small greenish white flowers on female shrubs will mature into persistent red drupes, although they are not as common or as striking as those of the parent species. Plants of this species are dioecious (separate male and female plants) and female plants need a male pollinator in the area in order to bear fruit.
Dwarf Yaupon blooms in early to mid-spring and the fruits are usually hidden by the close-knit branches. The Dwarf Yaupon Holly spreads wider than it is tall and can be used for topiary and in formal plantings. Leaves are not concolorous and tend to be much darker on top than beneath. Drought and salt spray tolerant, this plant tolerates wet soil, is easily transplanted, and has no known pest problems. Plant in average well-drained soils in sun to shade, though it will produce more fruit with more sun. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and makes a good screen, windbreak, or security plant, grows rapidly, and can take heavy pruning. Resistant to Phytophthora root rot.
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.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Resistant to Phytophthora root rot. No insect or disease problems when planted in their native habitat. Holly leaf miner, spider mites, whitefly, and scale are occasional problems. Leaf spot, leaf rot, tar spot, and powdery mildew are potential disease problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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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. 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):
- 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:
- Native Plant
- 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:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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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 and are less than an inch wide. 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
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Insect Pests
- Salt
