Northington, David K.
Ilex decidua Walt.
Possumhaw, Possumhaw Holly, Deciduous Holly, Winterberry, Deciduous yaupon
Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family)
Deciduous holly or possum haw is a small,
deciduous tree or shrub,15-30 ft. tall, with pale gray, twiggy, horizontal branches. Glossy,
oval, toothed leaves remain dark green through autumn, finally turning yellow. Inconspicuous flowers precede clusters of persistant, red berries on female trees which provide winter color.
Possum Haw is conspicuous in winter, with its many, small, red berries along leafless, slender, gray twigs. Opossums, raccoons, other mammals, songbirds, and gamebirds eat the
fruit of this and related species.
Image Gallery:
29 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MS , MO , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA , DC
Native Distribution: VA to s. IL & s. MO, s. to FL Panhandle & c. TX
Native Habitat: Low, wet woods; coastal plains; river bottoms
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist sands, loams or clays. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche type
Conditions Comments: Deciduous holly or possum haw is a small,
deciduous tree or
shrub with pale gray, twiggy, horizontal branches. Glossy,
oval, toothed leaves remain dark green through autumn, finally turning yellow. Inconspicuous flowers precede clusters of persistant, red berries on female trees which provide winter color.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Understory
tree, Fruits ornamental, Accent
tree or
shrub Use Wildlife: Berries attract songbirds. Fruit-mammals, Fruit-birds, Nesting site, Nectar-insects
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: Moderate
2010-05-28
