Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)Holly Family Yaupon Holly is a large evergreen shrub that is both an attractive landscape plant, and very beneficial to wildlife. The plant produces inconspicuous, small, greenish-white flowers in the spring, which are dioecious, meaning that individual plants are either male or female. Female plants bear bright red berries that persist into winter and are an important food source for various bird species. Adapted to a range of conditions, it thrives in both dry, wet, sun, and shade. Ideal habitat is part sun. It is notable for being the only plant native to North America that contains caffeine. Leaves are roasted and brewed to make a tea. Ingestion of berries can cause nausea and vomiting, hence the scientific name "vomitoria". Blooms: White, 3-4 weeks, Apr-MayLeaves: Small, evergreen leaves are a glossy dark green, NOT sharpHeight: 10-20'Space: 8-10'Soil: Moist-Average Exposure: Full sun-Part sun-Part shade-Shade Fauna: High pollinator value--many types of pollinators visit (small flies and bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, ants, and beetles), butterfly host plant, fruit for birds,winter coverSeeds: Small, bright red fruit are a bird favorite, plants are dioecious (male and female flowers occur on separate plants) Deer Resistance: HighZone: 7-9Native Status: NC native, common in the Coastal PlainProvenance: NC, seed grown
