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Cressler, Alan
Ilex coriacea
Ilex coriacea (Pursh) Chapm.
Baygall Bush, Large Gallberry, Gallberry, Tall Inkberry Holly, Inkberry Holly, Shining Inkberry, Inkberry
Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ilco
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Large gallberry is an evergreen shrub, 10-15 ft. high, occasionally tree-sized, with slender branchlets and narrowly oval, leathery leaves. Non-showy, axillary flowers are followed by shiny-black fruit which, unlike most Ilex spp., drop soon after maturing in later summer or fall.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Lanceolate , Oval
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Dioecious
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Shrub or rarely a small tree, up to 15 feet tall.
Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen, leathery, elliptic to oval to lanceolate, pointed or rounded at the tip, tapering to the base, without teeth, at least along the upper half of the leaf, or with a few bristle-like teeth, smooth on the upper surface except along the veins, smooth or hairy and dotted on the lower surface, up to 4 inches long, up to 2 inches wide; leaf stalks short-hairy.
Flower: Male and female flowers borne separately on separate plants; male flowers 1-several in axillary clusters; female flowers 1-several in axillary clusters.
Fruit: Drupes red at first, becoming black and shiny at maturity, spherical, 1/4-1/3 inch in diameter, sweet and juicy; nutlets 5-9. Although technically drupes, the fruit is commonly referred to as berries.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , TX , VANative Distribution: Coastal plain from s.e. VA to s.e. TX
Native Habitat: Sandy woods; stream banks
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Moist, sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: You must have both a male and female plant to have berries. The male must be the same species as the female and bloom at the same time. Because hollies are such popular landscape plants, it may be worth the risk to plant a female and hope there is a male nearby.
Propagation
Description: Reproduces best if seeds are planted immediately after collection. Patience is probably more important than cold treatment for breaking seed dormancy. May be pretreated with double-stratification. Semi-hardwood cuttings from well-matured growth of theSeed Treatment: Some benefit may be obtained from 30-60 days treatment at 68-86 degrees followed by 60-90 days of 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FACW | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-1124 Collected 2007-10-04 in Tyler County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 298 - Field Guide to Texas Trees (1999) Simpson, B.J.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 17 - Southern Wetland Flora: Field Office Guide to Plant Species (0) U.S. Department of Agriculture. No date. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, South Nat...Additional resources
USDA: Find Ilex coriacea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ilex coriacea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ilex coriacea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2015-11-12Research By: TWC Staff