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| Scientific Name | Ilex decidua | USDA PLANTS Symbol |
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| Common Name | Possumhaw, Possum Haw | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. |
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| Family | Aquifoliaceae (Holly) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Wide variety of soils in moist areas in woods, along sandy stream banks. Plant: Small, deciduous tree or shrub, 15 to 30 ft. tall, with pale gray, twiggy, horizontal branches. Conspicuous in winter, with its many, small, red berries along leafless, slender, gray twigs. Found in natural environments in central TX and southern states. Commercially available. Leaves: Glossy oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, 1-1/8 to 2-3/4 inches long, rounded or obtuse at the tip, finely toothed edges. Inflorescence: Dioecious (male and female blossoms on separate plants). Inconspicuous small white flowers in clusters on peduncles; 4 or 5 petals; yellow stamens on staminate flowers; pistillate flowers with obvious green ovary; photo below shows female flower with ovary a non-functioning stamens. Fruit: Red or orange-red spherical berries on female trees, up to 1/3-inch in diameter. Bloom Period: March to May. References: www.wildflower.org, SEINet, and "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston. |
BONAP Distribution Map |
Texas Status: Native |
| Scientific Name | Ilex vomitoria | USDA PLANTS Symbol |
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| Common Name | Yaupon Holly | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. |
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| Family | Aquifoliaceae (Holly) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Moist or well drained, sandy, loamy, clay, limestone, or gravelly soils; in wooded areas. Plant: Upright, single- or multi-trunked shrub or small tree, growing 12-45 feet high but usually no higher than 25 feet; pale gray bark marked with white patches. Found in natural environments in central TX and in southern states. Commercially available. Leaves: Dark green above, small elliptic to oblong or ovate-elliptic usually less than 1-1/2 in. long; finely-toothed edges. Inflorescence: Inconspicuous small flowers in clusters on peduncles; 4 white petals. Dioecious (male and female blossoms on separate plants). Fruit: Huge number of persistent red spherical berries on female trees, up to 1/4-inch in diameter. Bloom Period: March to May. References: www.wildflower.org and "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston. |
BONAP Distribution Map |
Texas Status: Native |
