Ilex glabraIndiana Native
Inkberry

Ilex glabra - Shrub Habit
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
White (Small creamy flowers; Blooms in late May; Dioecious; Not ornamentally important)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Lustrous, dark green evergreen foliage in summer; Sometimes light yellow-green; May become tinged bronze or purple in the winter)
 Stem Notes:
Young stems are green and become gray-brown as plant matures; Slender, powdery, pubescent, glabrous
 Fruit Notes:
Black (Shiny black berry-like drupes in the fall that can persist into winter; About 1/4" in dia.)
 Ultimate Height:
6-8 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
8-10 feet
 Bloom Times:
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Water Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Prefers moist, acidic soils and does not tolerate high alkalinity or dry soils
 Range:
Eastern North America
 Maintenance:
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Evergreen leaves (0.75-2" long by 0.3-0.75" wide) are alternate, simple, and oblanceolate with few obtuse teeth near apex or entire, dark green above lighter below. Leaves are very thin compared to Ilex crenata. Young stems are green, pubescent and powdery; 1st year, less so later.
 Ecological Functions:
  Special Characteristics:
  • Border 378
  • Foundation 188
  • Groupings 199
  • Hedge 255
  • Mass Plantings 278
  • Naturalizing 106
  • Indiana Native 162
  • Insignificant Flowering 8
  • Pollution Tolerant 217
  • Shade Tolerant 114
  • Wet Soil Tolerant 106
  • Slow Growth Rate 266
  • Winter Interest 103

    • Additional Information

    This species, like other hollies, is dioecious, so plant females for fruit and an occasional male for pollination. Withstands severe pruning. Winter desiccation injury to leaves occurs in exposed sites, with severe yellowing when temperatures drop below -20 degrees F. Avoid high pH soils.

    31 Ilex glabra found

    Building Map...

    Other plants like this Ilex glabra (Inkberry)

    Communication

    University Resources

    Sustainability Resources

    Arboretum Resources

    Purdue University Logo Purdue University Logo

    The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Physical Facilities Grounds Department

    Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
    © 2025 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Integrity Statement | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by the Purdue Arboretum
    Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us