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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Ilex vomitoria is an evergreen Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft 8in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from October to December. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment Tea
A mildly stimulating beverage containing caffeine is made from the dried and roasted leaves[43, 171, 183]. The tea is stimulating and intoxicating[161]. The leaves are first steeped in cold and then in boiling water[183]. They are also used to flavour ice cream and soft drinks[183].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Emetic
A decoction of the leaves is emetic[4, 11, 171]. The plant was used ritually by several N. American Indian tribes. The leaves were toasted over a fire and then boiled for several hours. The resulting thick black liquid was then drunk and this was followed by immediate vomiting[213]. This was often used a a purification rite prior to hunting[213].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Hedge Hedge Wood
This species is occasionally used for hedging in the southern states of America[82]. Wood - hard, heavy, strong, close grained. It weighs 46lb per cubic foot. Too small for commercial exploitation, the wood is used locally for turnery, inlay work, woodenware etc[82, 149, 227, 229].
Special Uses
Hedge Hedge
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Succeeds in most soils so long as they are not water-logged[200]. This species is not fully hardy in Britain, the plants are incapable of withstanding our hardest winters[11]. A slow-growing species in the wild, often forming dense thickets from root suckers[229]. The leaves remain on the plant for 2 - 3 years, falling just before the appearance of new leaves in the spring[82]. Flowers are produced on the current year's growth[229]. Resents root disturbance, especially as the plants get older[11]. It is best to place the plants into their permanent positions as soon as possible, perhaps giving some winter protection for their first year or two[K]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. It can take 18 months to germinate. Stored seed generally requires two winters and a summer before it will germinate and should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. Scarification, followed by a warm stratification and then a cold stratification may speed up the germination time[78, 80]. The seedlings are rather slow-growing. Pot them up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame for their first year. It is possible to plant them out into a nursery bed in late spring of the following year, but they should not be left here for more than two years since they do not like being transplanted. Alternatively, grow them on in their pots for a second season and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Give them a good mulch and some protection for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of almost ripe wood with a heel, August in a shaded position in a cold frame. Leave for 12 months before potting up. Layering in October. Takes 2 years[78].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Ilex aculeolata | | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Ilex aquifolium | Holly, English holl, Christmas Holly, Common Holly, English Holly | Shrub | 9.0 |
5-9
| S | LMH | FSN | DM | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Ilex asprella | | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 2 | |
| Ilex cassine | Cassine, Dahoon, Cassine Holly | Tree | 10.0 |
7-11
| S | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Ilex chapaensis | | Shrub | 10.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Ilex coriacea | Large Gallberry | Shrub | 3.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Ilex cornuta | Horned Holly, Chinese holly | Shrub | 4.0 |
7-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 2 | |
| Ilex crenata | Japanese Holly, Box Leaved Holly | Shrub | 5.0 |
6-8
| S | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Ilex glabra | Inkberry | Shrub | 3.0 |
3-7
| S | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Ilex integra | Mochi Tree | Tree | 6.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Ilex latifolia | Tarajo | Tree | 10.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Ilex macropoda | | Tree | 13.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Ilex opaca | American Holly | Shrub | 15.0 |
4-8
| S | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Ilex pedunculosa | | Shrub | 10.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Ilex pubescens | | Shrub | 3.5 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 2 | |
| Ilex purpurea | | Tree | 12.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 2 | |
| Ilex rotunda | Kurogane holly | Tree | 20.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 1 | |
| Ilex verticillata | Winterberry, Common winterberry | Shrub | 2.0 |
3-7
| S | LMH | SN | MWe | 1 | 3 | |
| Ilex x altaclerensis | Holly | Shrub | 4.0 |
5-9
| S | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Ilex yunnanensis | | Shrub | 4.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 1 | |
| Quercus ilex | Holly Oak, Evergreen Oak | Tree | 25.0 |
7-10
| S | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Quercus ilex ballota | Holm Oak | Tree | 25.0 |
6-9
| S | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 2 | 3 |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Author
Sol. ex Aiton.
Botanical References
1143200
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