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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - March 11, 2013
From: Smithville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Identification of bush with red berries
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
bush? grows along fence lines in rural areas; sheds foliage in fall; berries appear; colors vary from red to orange, depending on soil?ANSWER:
Your description sounds to me like Ilex decidua (Possumhaw). As the species name suggests, it is deciduous—shedding its leaves in winter—but the female trees retain their orange, red, or sometimes yellow berries after they lose their leaves. The berries are eaten by at least 9 bird species including cedar waxwings. The berries are most often eaten late in the winter season after the berries have gone through one or more freezes. As far as I know, the berry color depends on the genetics of the plant. I have never seen any information indicating that it is due to soils it grows in. Here is more information from Aggie Horticulture, University of Florida Extension Service and Stephen F. Austin University.
The females of its close relative, Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon), also bear red berries; but, because they are evergreen, their red berries aren't as evident as those of the possumhaws.
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Identification Questions
Plant identification
June 25, 2011 - I see a previous question from Ohio on this plant, so I will copy the description and try to submit photos. "A year later a weed-like plant started growing beside it. It has very thorny leaves, stem...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
September 21, 2009 - NEAR ABILENE STATE PARK GREEN RODS SHOOT UP PURPLE BLOOM
MID TO LATE SEPTEMBER LONG AND SLENDER WITH GREEN SPIKES ALMOST LIKE A PINE OR EVERGREEN COMES EVERY YEAR NO MATTER
HOW MUCH RAIN WHAT IS IT?...
view the full question and answer
Identification of spiky red berry in Connecticut
September 25, 2011 - I found an odd berry outside of my school, none of the science teachers know what it is though. It kind of looks like a spiked cherry. It has spikes on the outside, a pit on the insde, and has pinkish...
view the full question and answer
Why is Mentzelia oligosperma called chickenthief?
July 15, 2014 - Could you tell me why Mentzelia oligosperma is sometimes called chickenthief?
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on Jewel of the Nile
June 04, 2005 - My husband and I just returned from a short trip to San Francisco. While on a bus tour that took us to the Twin Peaks area, we saw some beautiful purple flowers growing on the hillside. Our tour guid...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |