NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Ilex montana [=Ilex ambigua var. montana]

Scientific Name:	Ilex montana [=Ilex ambigua var. montana]
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
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record

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