| Winterberry Holly
Ilex Verticillata |
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| Winterberry Holly
Ilex Verticillata |
|
| Description: The Winterberry Holly is 5-15 feet tall with slender twigs and red berries. It is a small tree. It could also be known as a shrub. Its bark is smooth and the color is grayish-brown. The leaves are 1.5 to 4 inches long with serrated tips. They are dark green in the summer and fall off by mid October. The small yellowish white flowers grow from April to July. The flower is insect pollinated. Red and orange fruit grow by late summer and often stay on during mid-winter. The berries are poisonous to people. The fruit is about ¼ inch in diameter. |
| Discussion: Birds eat the small, red berries. Animals love to eat its berries. It is important that both male and females plants are within 40 feet of one another for adequate pollination. |
| Distribution: This plant is found in Michigan. East of the Mississippi River and Texas in the U.S.A. |
| Location: Volo Bog-boardwalk marker # 5 |
| © Copyright 2003, Taveirne Middle School, www.bighollow.us. All rights reserved; Photos courtesy of Heather T. ; Text written by Cathy M. |
| References: Barnes, Burton,
V. and Warren H. Wagner, Jr. Michigan Trees- A Guide to the Trees
of Michigan and the Great Lakes Region. Ann Arbor: University
of Michigan Press, 1981.
Miller, Stacy. Volo Bog Fall Trail Guide. No publication information available. USDA National Resource Conservation Service. http://plants.usda.gov |
| Click here for additional photos and chemical test information about the Winterberry Holly. | Click here for additional photos. |