Ilex glabraIndiana Native
Inkberry

Family:

Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family) 18

Genus:

Ilex (Holly Inkberry Gallberry Winterberry Black Alder Alder, Black Coralberry) 18

Plant Type:

Shrub 468

Growth Forms:

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 520

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Evergreen 262

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:

Medium to wet 60

Soil Notes:

Prefers moist, acidic soils and does not tolerate high alkalinity or dry soils

Range:

Eastern North America

Maintenance:

Low 274

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:

Purdue Plant Doctor

Plant Doctor Page

Special Characteristics:

Insignificant Flowering 17

Pollution Tolerant 217

Shade Tolerant 115

Wet Soil Tolerant 109

Slow Growth Rate 272

Winter Interest 117

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.

Plant Photo Gallery

Shrub Habit

Bark

Flower

Leaf

Fall Color

Buds

Winter Habit

31 Ilex glabra found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2010_11867*A	PRSV
2	2010_11792*A	PRSV
3	2010_11852*A	PRSV
4	2010_11859*A	PRSV
5	2010_11860*A	PRSV
6	2010_11868*A	PRSV
7	2010_11862*A	PRSV
8	2010_11861*A	PRSV
9	2010_11866*A	PRSV
10	2010_11791*A	PRSV
11	2010_11794*A	PRSV
12	2010_11853*A	PRSV
13	2010_11858*A	PRSV
14	2010_06673*A	MCUT
15	2010_11873*A	PRSV
16	2010_11865*A	PRSV
17	2010_11790*A	PRSV
18	2010_11857*A	PRSV
19	2010_11864*A	PRSV
20	2010_11856*A	PRSV
21	2010_11863*A	PRSV
22	2010_11855*A	PRSV
23	2010_11871*A	PRSV
24	2012_01339*A	MCUT
25	2010_11854*A	PRSV
26	2010_11874*A	PRSV
27	2010_11872*A	PRSV
28	2010_11793*A	PRSV
29	2010_11869*A	PRSV
30	2010_11870*A	PRSV
31	2009_14897*A	LAMB