dahoon holly
ExplorePlants
dahoon holly
Ilex cassine
Dahoon holly is a lovely evergreen shrub with shiny green leaves and bright red berries. It grows in warm places and provides food for birds and other animals.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The dahoon holly is a medium-sized evergreen tree or large shrub with smooth, pale gray bark. It has narrow, shiny green leaves with smooth or slightly toothed edges. Bright red, round berries cling to the branches through fall and winter, contrasting with the dark foliage.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAquifolialesFamilyAquifoliaceaeGenusIlex
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Dahoon holly has separate male and female plants, so only female plants grow berries!
Even though its berries are red, they're mildly toxic to humans, so don't eat them!
It's often called "water holly" because it loves to grow in very wet, swampy places!
Its scientific name, 'cassine', comes from a Native American word for the plant!
Special abilities
Ability
Swamp Survivor
Dahoon holly has roots adapted to wet soil, helping it survive in soggy swamps and floodplains.
Ability
Winter Kitchen
Dahoon holly holds onto its bright red berries through winter, providing vital food for many bird species.
Ability
Year-Round Green
Dahoon holly keeps its leaves all year, allowing it to photosynthesize even when other plants are bare.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 600-1200 cm
- Spread
- 300-600 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.3-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eats
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
feasts on its bright red berries
eats
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
relies on winter berries for food
eats
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
gathers nectar and pollen from flowers
Traits
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Cold Hardy
Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Don't eat the berries without asking an adult, as some berries can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is dahoon holly?
600-1200 cm
How wide does dahoon holly spread?
300-600 cm
How big are the flowers on dahoon holly?
0.3-0.5 cm
When does dahoon holly bloom?
Spring to early summer
Is dahoon holly edible?
No
Is dahoon holly toxic?
Mild
What is dahoon holly's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is dahoon holly pollinated?
Insect
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