Ilex decidua

Plant Characteristics
Lifespan:	⌛	perennial

Cultivation

Features:	✓	evergreen

Scientific Names
Aquifoliaceae >	Ilex >	decidua >			Walt. >

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Ilex decidua (Meadow Holly, also called "possumhaw", "deciduous holly" or "swamp holly") is a species of holly native to the United States.

Leaves of Ilex decidua

Distinguishing features of this species are crenate leaf margins and fruiting pedicels that are 2-8 mm long.^[1] Its "distinctive leaf shape... is less variable than other species of holly".^[2] Leaves are obovate,^[3] simple, alternating, deciduous, and grow to 2.5-7.5cm long.^[2]

Drupe fruits are red (or rarely yellow), shiny, and globose (spherical, or nearly so), with a diameter of 4-8mm.^[1]^[2] The pulp is bitter; they contain 3-5 seeds and mature in autumn.^[2]

Slender twigs are glabrous and silvery gray, with "numerous spur shoots", pointed lateral buds, and acuminate scales.^[2]

Bark is "light brown to gray" in color and may be smooth or "warty and roughened".^[2]

Read about Ilex decidua in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
Ilex decidua, Walt. (Prinos deciduus, DC.). Shrub or small tree, to 30 ft., with light gray, spreading branches: lvs. cuneate-oblong or obovate, usually obtuse, crenately serrate, dark green, and with impressed veins above, pale and pubescent beneath, 1 ½ -3 in. long: fr. globose, orange or orange-scarlet, 1/3 in. across. May. Va. to Fla., west to Texas. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

Cultivation

Propagation

Pests and diseases

Varieties

Gallery

Ilex decidua with red "berries"
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photo 2
photo 3

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Duncan, Wilbur H. and Marion B. Duncan (1988). Trees of the Southeastern United States. Athens, Georgia: The University of Georgia Press. pp. 304–305. ISBN 0820314692.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 ^2.5 Brown, Claud L.; L. Katherine Kirkman (1990). Trees of Georgia and Adjacent States. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. pp. 178–179. ISBN 0881921483.
↑ "NPIN: Ilex decidua (Possumhaw{". Retrieved on 2009-07-14.

Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

External links

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[Duncan-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Duncan, Wilbur H. and Marion B. Duncan (1988). Trees of the Southeastern United States. Athens, Georgia: The University of Georgia Press. pp. 304–305. ISBN 0820314692.

[B.26K-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 ^2.5 Brown, Claud L.; L. Katherine Kirkman (1990). Trees of Georgia and Adjacent States. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. pp. 178–179. ISBN 0881921483.

[NPIN-3] "NPIN: Ilex decidua (Possumhaw{". Retrieved on 2009-07-14.

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