Woody > Ilex > Ilex vomitoria > Ilex vomitoria
Ilex vomitoria
Yaupon
Origin: Ilex vomitoria can only be found in the southeastern United States of America. It can be found from Texas to South Carolina, along with North Carolina.
Mike's
Opinion
"
A good plant to add year-round colour to the landscape. It is an excellent choice as a hedge, barrier, or screening. This plant is an ideal option for people that would like birds in their yard throughout the year, and those that live in a moderately warm climate.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Aquifoliaceae |
| Genus |
| Ilex |
| Species |
| vomitoria |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 7 - 10 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6b - 9b |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H6 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| 4.4 - 29.4 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 40 - 85 |
| Height |
| 4.5 - 6 m |
| Spread |
| 2 - 3.5 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Yaupon has deep green leaves and bright red berries year-round. It also has small greenish-white flowers from March to May. |
| Landscape |
| Ilex vomitoria can contribute to the landscape in many ways. It can be used for mass planting, informal screening, as a barrier, as a hedge, and as an espalier. It is a wonderful replacement for Buxus considering the hardiness zones. Many species of wildlife utilize this plant and its evergreen nature. Small mammals -- raccoons, foxes, skunks, and other related mammals -- will often eat the fruit. In the winter many animals use this plant as a form of protection. |
| Cultivation |
| This plant can adapt to many soil conditions. It can be found in both very wet and very dry conditions. It is also tolerant of salt. Ilex vomitoria specimens prefer moderately acidic to neutral soils, with a pH from 4.5 to 7.0. To encourage deep root growth, this plan should receive infrequent, intense watering. While more frequent, light watering will cause the plant to grow shallow roots. Along with this, regular pruning will cause the plant to grow denser than it otherwise would. Furthermore, control burns are often used to prevent it from becoming an understory tree. Fertilizer is not required, but if it is used a fertilizer with equal parts should be used. The recommended concentration is 13-13-13, which will cause better growth and quicker establishment. Lastly, trimming the foliage prior to transplanting can increase success and reduce moisture loss. |
| Shape |
| Yaupon is a multi–stemmed, rounded or pyramidal tree. This plant is also typically an understory plant. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| One of the identifying features of Ilex vomitoria is the dark green, leathery leaves that are present all year. The shallow teeth on the leaves and the brightly coloured berries can also be used to identify Ilex vomitoria. |
| Pests |
| There are no serious pest problems, however leaf miner does occasionally occur. Additionally, deer will often eat the leaves and small mammals will eat the fruit. |
| Habitat |
| Yaupon is commonly found in moist soils, specifically along the beaches and on shoreline forests. It is also often found as an understory plant. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| The stems initially appear purplish, then turning to a white-grey colour. The bark is an eye catching white/grey colour. The bark is usually smooth and thin. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| The leaf buds are about 6 mm apart from each other. Yaupon flower buds are rounded and appear to be covered in curved scales, whereas the leaf buds tend to have a smooth appearance to them. The flower buds are almost flat against the bark and the leaf buds are at a 45° angle. |
| Leaf Description |
| The leaves remain a dark green colour with a leather like texture all year. The underside of the leaves is lighter than the top of them. They are simple, ovate and between 1.3 cm to 3.8 cm long. The leaves are in an alternate arrangement. Along with this, the leaf margins have shallow teeth from the tip to the base. |
| Flower Description |
| The flowers bloom from March to May on both the male and female plants. The petals are very small and are about 5 mm long. The flowers are a greenish–white colour and grow in pairs, or alone along the leaf axis. Furthermore, the flowers have a pleasant smell and are pollinated by butterflies. |
| Fruit Description |
| The fruit is about 6 mm in diameter and is translucent red. They stay on the plant throughout winter and are in dense clusters. Each fruit has 4 seeds inside. The seeds are hard and oblong shaped. Yaupon fruit is only present on female trees. Consuming the berries can cause vomiting and nausea when ingested, so caution should occur when handling. |
| Colour Description |
| The foliage is a dark green colour, and the fruit is bright red. The stems begin as a purplish colour, later becoming a white/grey colour. Lastly, the flowers are a greenish–white colour. |
| Texture Description |
| The bark is thin and smooth. The leaf buds are also smooth, and the flower buds have a rounded, scale texture to them. Overall, Yaupon has a medium- fine texture. |
| Notable Specimens |
| There is a wonderful specimen at the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens. The University of Delaware Botanic Gardens also functions as an outdoor classroom and has an entire section dedicated to Ilex vomitoria and plants with similar attributes. |
| Propagation |
| The best way to get Ilex vomitoria is to transplant part of a mature, healthy plant into a new area. To ensure successful transplanting, transplant in the fall or spring, which will prevent summer heat stress. Ilex vomitoria can also be grown from seeds. When growing from seeds it will take about 18 months for germination to occur. They should be planted in the fall and left outside for the winter. The cold of the winter is required to ensure successful germination. Along with this, the plants should be spread in flats. After the plant has begun to grow, it can be transplanted. The last way that propagation can be achieved is through cuttings. Cuttings should be planted 15 cm deep, in a flat of 1 part peat and 3 parts sand. Rooting hormones will increase root production. The cuttings will take between 60 and 90 days to root, if in a humid environment between 18°C and 24°C. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| In the southeastern states of the United States of America, many Aboriginals use this plant. It is used for a variety of things, including using the wood to make arrows, and roasted shoots and leaves for tea. This tea causes vomiting and is used as a ceremonial way to purify the body. It is also used as a friendly gesture in social settings. The leaves contain roughly 3 times the amount of caffeine as coffee and are believed to have been used for this in the past. |
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