Flower Notes:
White (Spring; dioecious; small; not ornamentally important)
Foliage Notes:
Green (Lustrous, dark green evergreen foliage that may become tinged bronze or purple in the winter)
Fruit Notes:
Black (Shiny black berries in the fall that can persist into winter)
Soil Notes:
Prefers moist, acidic soils and does not tolerate high alkalinity or dry soils
Diagnostic Characteristics:
Evergreen leaves (1.25-1.5" long by 0.3" 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.