Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Celastrales>Aquifoliaceae>Ilex verticillata (L.) Gray

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Winterberry is a medium-sized deciduous shrub of wetlands that occurs in moist areas throughout North Carolina. Winterberry is similar to Mountain Holly (Ilex montana) but the leaves are a little smaller, narrower, and more rugose (the veins are more indented). The uncommon Smooth Winterberry (Ilex laevigata) of the Coastal Plain is even more similar, but has glabrous (smooth), acute sepals versus ciliate, obtuse sepals in Ilex verticillata.

Person Co., NC 6/10/2009.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Small white flowers appear in early summer. These are pistillate (female) flowers. Winterberry is dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are borne on separate plants.

Person Co., NC 6/10/2009.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Pistillate flowers.

Person Co., NC 6/10/2009.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

The numbers of flower part is variable. This one has 7-8 stamens and 7-8 petals on each flower.

Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Leaf undersides are white-hairy.

Person Co., NC 6/10/2009.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Ripening fruits.

Durham, NC 6/27/2009.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Person Co., NC 4/18/2011.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) fruits

The common name refers to the bright red fruits that last through the winter.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/23/06.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) fruits

Alleghany Co., NC 9/23/06.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) fruits

Alleghany Co., NC 9/27/03.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) staminate flowers

These are staminate (male) flowers.

Alleghany Co., NC 7/2/06.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) pistillate flowers

Alleghany Co., NC 7/3/05.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) pistillate flowers

Pistillate (female) flowers.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/31/04.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) staminate flowers

Staminate flowers.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/31/04.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) bark

Bark of a small shrub.

Alleghany Co., NC 7/2/06.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) bark

Bark of a larger shrub.

Alleghany Co., NC 7/2/06.

 

More information:
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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