Dig into Plants: Yaupon Holly

Yaupon Holly

Other Common Names: Yaupon Holly, Cassina, Christmas Berry

Scientific Name: Ilex vomitoria

Alternate Native Species:
Dwarf Yaupon Holly

Native to Alabama: Yes

Yaupon Holly
Dreamstime

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BASIC INFORMATION

ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS

MAINTENANCE NOTES

HABITAT REQUIREMENTS

LEAF, FLOWER & SEED ID

PLANT LIFE CYCLE

Basic Plant Information

Yaupon Holly
Wikimedia – Luteus

I am a vascular plant with a woody stems above ground, so I am a shrub.
I keep leaves year-round, so I am evergreen.
I renew my growth each spring for many seasons, so I am perennial.
I can grow 12 – 25 feet high and 8 – 12 feet wide.

Ecological Benefits

This plant provides food for:

Butterflies

Caterpillars
Henry’s Elfin

Other Pollinators

Small Mammals

Other Birds

Other Plants Found in Alabama with Similar Ecological Benefits:

American Holly
(Ilex opaca)

Inkberry
(Ilex glabra)

Swamp Holly
(Ilex amelanchier)

Myrtle Holly
(Ilex myrtifolia)

Maintenance Notes

Retain leaves in winter.
Pruning is not necessary, but can take heavy pruning to shape into a hedge or tree.
Trimming will promote regrowth for a fuller shrub.
If pruning, it is best to trim annually in the winter.
Can grow aggressively and form thickets.
Remove root suckers to keep it localized.
For red fruit, need both male and female plants.
Can be propagated with cuttings.
When watering, hold hose to base of plant for a count of 5 seconds. Water should reach all roots.
Avoid sprinkling water on the leaves.

Until established, water two times per week during the summer and once per week during the rest of the year.

Habitat Requirements

This plant prefers:

Full Sun
(6+ hours of sun per day)

Part Sun/Shade
(2-6 hours of sun per day)

Shade
(Less than 2 hours of sun per day)

Heavy watering with good drainage

Well-drained, Sandy, Loamy, Clay, or Limestone soil

Leaf, Flower & Seed Identification

Yaupon Holly Leaves
Wikimedia – David J. Stang

LEAF DESCRIPTION

Leaves are 1-1.5 inches long and 0.75 inches wide; dark green and shiny on the upper side and lighter green underneath; leathery; toothed margins.

Leaf Characteristics Chart (PDF)


Shape: Ovate	Margin: Crenate

Arrangement: Alternate	Form: Simple

Yaupon Holly Flowers
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Alan Cressler

FLOWER DESCRIPTION

Flowers are small with four petals; relatively inconspicuous; fragrant.

Flower Shape Chart (JPG)


Color: White, Greenish-white	Shape: Stellate (star-shaped)	Bloom Months: Apr – May

Yaupon Holly Fruit
Dreamstime

SEED DESCRIPTION

Plant spreads by:
Seeds; females produce berry-like fruits after fertilization


Type: Fruit – Drupe	Description: Bright red, round, glossy, berry-looking fruits that are 0.25 inches in diameter	Months in Seed: Winter

Yaupon Holly Bark
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – James Garland Holmes

BARK DESCRIPTION

Plant spreads by:
New stems are purplish in color but become ligher gray as they age; bark is smooth but develps scales as plant ages


Color: Pale gray with ligher gray or white patches	Texture: Smooth but may develop scales as the plant ages

Plant Life Cycle

Plant Life Cycle:

All plants start life as a seed. Seeds contain the new plant (embryo) and the nutrients inside of a protective coat. They must be dispersed (moved to a new location)
Once a seeed lands in a suitable environment, it will begin to grow to form the cotyledon or sprout. Small roots will begin growing into the soil, and a small leaf is developed.
The sprout becomes a seedling, developing a stem and leaves above ground.

General Plant Life Cycle – Dreamstime

Plant Life Cycle continues:

As the seedling continues to grow, it will develop into a mature adult plant.
Mature adult plants are able to produce flowers that can be pollinated. The pollination process leads to the formation of new seeds, and the process continues.

General Plant Life Cycle – Dreamstime

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

Quick Fact Sheet
(Condensed Species Info)

Plant ID Sign (Text Only):
Ready as-is PDF

Plant ID Sign (With Picture):
Ready as-is PDF

QR Code
(Links to this Webpage)

Plant ID Sign (Text Only):
Editable Word Doc

Plant ID Sign (With Picture):
Editable Word Doc

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