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Appalachian Tea, Gallberry

Ilex glabra, commonly called inkberry or gallberry, is a slow-growing, upright-rounded, stoloniferous, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the holly family. It typically matures to 5-10’ tall, and can spread by root suckers to form colonies. It is native to the coastal plain from Nova Scotia to Florida to Louisiana where it is most commonly found in sandy woods and peripheries of swamps and bogs. This plant is moderately salt-tolerant and adaptable to both light and heavy soils.

Larval Host for the

6-12'

6-12'

SIZE

SOIL

Moist, Wet, Acidic, Sandy, Peaty

LIGHT

Part Shade, Sun

BENEFITS

Birds, Bees, Honey Bees

NOTES

Inkberry Holly honey is a highly-rated honey that results from bees feeding on inkberry flowers. Drupes (berries) provide fall forage for birds.

CHARACTERISTICS

Rabbit Resistant, Flood Tolerant

June, July, August, September

Shrub

This 

flowers in

Inkberry Holly

Ilex glabra

DETAIL VIEW

DESCRIPTION

Ilex glabra, commonly called inkberry or gallberry, is a slow-growing, upright-rounded, stoloniferous, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the holly family. It typically matures to 5-10’ tall, and can spread by root suckers to form colonies. It is native to the coastal plain from Nova Scotia to Florida to Louisiana where it is most commonly found in sandy woods and peripheries of swamps and bogs. This plant is moderately salt-tolerant and adaptable to both light and heavy soils.

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