Ilex glabraIndiana Native
Inkberry

Ilex glabra - Shrub Habit
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 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)
 Stem Notes:
slender, powdery, pubescent, glabrous
 Fruit Notes:
Black (Shiny black berries in the fall that can persist into winter; on females only)
 Ultimate Height:
8 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
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 368
  • Foundation 183
  • Groupings 189
  • Hedge 234
  • Mass Plantings 268
  • Naturalizing 102
  • Indiana Native 152
  • Pollution Tolerant 217
  • Shade Tolerant 114
  • Wet Soil Tolerant 102
  • Slow Growth Rate 266

    • 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

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