Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Winterberry is a deciduous tree that may grow 10 to 15 feet tall, but it often occurs in the wild as a shrub. The leaves are alternate with a sharply toothed margin and hairy underside. The bark is thin, smooth, and gray-brown. In spring, stalked, yellow-green flowers mature in clusters. Female specimens produce red-orange drupes that mature in the fall.
WildlifeHost plant for Henry's Elfin butterfly. Butterflies nectar at blooms. Fruits are eaten by songbirds and small mammals.
| Plant Type |
Tree 10-30 feet |
| Leaf Type |
Deciduous |
| Deer Resistance |
Low |
| Regions |
Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plain |
| Light |
Full Sun, Partial Sun/Shade, Full Shade |
| Soil |
Wet, Moist |
| Bloom Times |
Spring |
| Seed Times |
Fall |
| Wildlife Value |
Fleshy Fruit, Butterfly/Insect Nectar, Butterfly Larvae Host |
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