Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Sunday - December 27, 2015

From: Midway, AR
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Shrubs
Title: What is the bush that has very bright red berries in the fall/winter and no leaves?
Answered by: Guy Thompson

QUESTION:

What is the name of the bush that has very bright red berries in the fall/winter and no leaves? I am familiar with amour honeysuckle, and I'm sure that it is not that.

ANSWER:

I feel pretty certain that the plant you ask about is Ilex decidua (Possumhaw). I show below several images of Possumhaw from our Native Plant Database to show its appearance at different times of the year.

From the Image Gallery

Possumhaw
Ilex decidua