NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Ilex montana [=Ilex ambigua var. montana]
Mountain Holly, Mountain Winterberry
Scientific Name: |
Ilex montana [=Ilex ambigua var. montana] |
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Genus: |
Ilex |
Species Epithet: |
montana |
Common Name: |
Mountain Holly, Mountain Winterberry |
Plant Type |
Tree/Shrub |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Invasive Status: |
(*Key) |
Size: |
6-12 ft., 12-36 ft. |
Bloom Color(s): |
White, Green |
Light: |
Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Moist |
Bloom Time: |
April, May, June |
Growing Area: |
Mountains, Piedmont |
Habitat Description: |
Mesic forests, rarely bogs or bog edges. Strictly in the mountains and foothills. Frequent to common in its NC range, and reasonably widespread, being found in practically all of the mountain counties and those along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Alternate |
Leaf Retention: |
Deciduous |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Simple |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Highest Wildlife Value |
Landscape Value: |
Suitable for home landscapes |
State Rank: |
S5: Secure (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G5 - Secure (*Key) |
Notes: |
This species is dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants) so you need both sexes for the fruit production. |
Mature berries in mid October. Leaves are noticeably serrate and somewhat narrowed to the tip (acuminate). Haywood County, NC Bettina Darveaux |
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