Common Winterberry Holly
Ilex verticillata
Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family)
▲ shrub with fruit in late summer
▲▼ leaves, fruit
Location near campus: toward west-center of Xeriscape Garden; Xeriscape Garden is at northwest corner of National and Linwood, about 3/4 mile south of campus on National Avenue.
Ilex verticillata: Common Winterberry
· leaves deciduous, alternate, simple, elliptic to obovate with pointed tip and serrated margins; dark green above, lighter green below
· stems brown to purplish brown
· grows 6-10' tall and wide into an oval-rounded shape; may sucker from stem bases to form dense thicket
· dioecious; produces abundant red berries (or other color, depending on cultivar) in fall through winter which are very attractive on leafless plants
· prefers full sun; likes very wet, swampy soils, acid pH and high organic matter content
· native to Missouri