Yaupon Holly Ilex vomitoria

Ilex vomitoria, commonly known as Yaupon, is native to a variety of areas including sandy woods, dunes, open fields, forest edges and wet swamps, often along the coastal plain and maritime forests, from Virginia to Florida, Arkansas and Texas. This is a thicket-forming, broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree that typically grows in an upright, irregularly branched form to 10-20’ tall and to 10’ wide, but may grow taller in optimum conditions. The bark is thin, smooth and light gray. As the tree ages, the bark might become a bit scaly.

For best results, grow in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. In its native habitat, it grows in dry to wet conditions, in a variety of soils and in sun or shade. It generally tolerates more drought than most other hollies. Prune in winter if needed. Plants of this species are dioecious (separate male and female plants). Female plants need a male pollinator in the area in order to bear fruit. Promptly remove root suckers unless naturalization is desired. This species has been known to tolerate flooded conditions for extended periods of time.

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

Genus name comes from the Latin name Quercus ilex for holm oak in reference to the foliage similarities (holm oak and many of the shrubs in the genus Ilex have evergreen leaves). Specific epithet refers to the emetic quality of the leaves.

I. decidua and I. opaca will cross pollinate to produce beautiful bright red fruits in the fall that persist into winter. It is usually multitrunked. Drought, salt and wet site tolerant. It makes a good screen plant and it transplants easily.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: In their native habitat, this plant has good resistance to insects and diseases. Potential insect problems include holly leaf miner, spider mites, whitefly and scale. Potential disease problems include leaf spot, leaf rot, tar spot and powdery mildew.