| Common Name: |
Ilex, Yaupon Holly (see cultivars for more information) |
| Scientific Name: |
Ilex vomitoria |
| Hardiness Zone: |
Zone 7A through 10 |
| Family: |
Aquifoliaceae |
General Information
The yaupon holly is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows 20-25 ft (6.1-7.6 m) in height. It typically produces multiple stems to form dense shrubby clumps. Yaupon inhabits a variety of habitats from dry sand hills to swamps to coastal regions in the southeastern United States, from southern Virginia to central Florida, and west to Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Its dark green, evergreen leaves and bright red berries make this shrub quite decorative. Yaupon is very tolerant of a variety of site conditions. The leaves of this shrub are emetic (cause vomiting) and purgative. Native Americans used yaupon as a ceremonial intoxicant and for medicinal purposes. An infusion from the young leaves and twig tips, called black drink by some tribes, contains caffeine and other compounds (some of which may be mildly toxic). It has been used as a beverage since the beginning of history. The yaupon holly berries provides an important source of food for birds and other wildlife in late winter when there's not a lot of other things to eat. They in turn, disperse the seeds far and wide but especially under utility lines, fences and other roosting spots.
| Bark Characteristics: |
The bark is smooth and gray and is often mottled with yellow-green patches of lichen. |
| Leaf/Foliage Characteristics: |
The yaupon has simple, leathery, dark green leaves leaves that are held alternately on the branches. Leaves are oval shape, usually about 0.25-1 in (0.6-2.5 cm) and crenate (like sawteeth) along the edges. |
| Growth Characteristics |
A tough native of the southern United States, Yaupon Holly grows quickly in a variety of locations, from full sun or shade to seaside or swamps, in sand or clay. Crowns will be thin in the shade. It will grow in soil with a pH in the 7's and is very tolerant of drought and sea salt, It sprouts readily from the roots forming clumps of upright shoots beneath the canopy. Sprouting is most troublesome if the soil beneath the canopy is disturbed. Protect the tree when tempertures approach 40 degrees F. |
| Flower/Fruit Characteristics: |
Yaupon is dioecious which means that male and female flowers are born on separate plants. The tiny white flower appear in spring in great numbers and are borne in the leaf axils, close against the stem. Female flowers are following by small bright red berries that persist on the trees through fall and winter. |
| Lighting: |
Full sun or Partial shade. Increased lighting will create denser foliage. |
| Watering: |
Water moderately, do not allow to dry out. The tree likes to be misted, except when its under full sun. |
| Feeding: |
The tree is a heavy feeder, a well balanced fertilizer applied weekly or biweekly during the summer growing season works best. |
| Pruning/Wiring: |
The top can be heavily pruned and is suitable for most sizes and styles. When trimming branches always leave several leaves or else die back can occur. Branches on the Ilex tend to be brittle making wiring difficult, clip and grow works very well with the Ilex. If you must wire, the best time is in the spring or summer. This Ilex has a tendency to grow straight up; this growth habit should be considered in your design plan. |
| Propagation: |
Collected specimens will make for better bonsai. Collect Ilex in the early spring. Cuttings and air-layerings will also work. Growing from seed, while possible, will take a fairly long time to develop. Nurseries are a good source of this material, should you be unable to collect a specimen. |
| Potting: |
Ilex can be repotted every 1-2 years using a well draining bonsai soil. Care should be taken when handling large rootballs, removing no more than 25% per repotting. |
| Pests: |
Leaf-miners, leaf spot, aphids, scale, mites and spittlebugs have been known to attack Ilex. |
| Diseases: |
Twig gall may occur in response to a fungal infection. The over production of fruit may weaken the tree. |
| Bibliography: |
ENH 470, ENH 471, Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date November 1993. Reviewed October 2003 Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611. |
|
