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(Ilex myrtifolia)
Myrtle Dahoon (Ilex myrtifolia)
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Will McFarland
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Will McFarland
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Will McFarland | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Will McFarland | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-05-09T10:50:12-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Ilex myrtifolia, commonly known as Myrtle Dahoon, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to wetlands, including swamps, marshes, and wet flatwoods, primarily in the Southeastern United States. It typically grows to a height of 20-30 feet (6-9 meters) and a width of 8-15 feet (2.4-4.6 meters). Myrtle Dahoon has a slender form with small, narrow, glossy leaves and produces small white flowers in the spring, which are followed by bright red berries that persist into winter, providing visual interest and food for wildlife.
Myrtle Dahoon is valued for its adaptability to wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, wetland restoration projects, and as a specimen plant in residential landscapes. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers acidic, moist to wet soils. While it tolerates standing water, it is also somewhat drought-tolerant once established. This species is relatively low-maintenance, but gardeners should watch for leaf spot and scale insects. It is not known to have aggressive roots or significant disease problems. Myrtle Dahoon is not typically invasive when grown outside its native range, but as with all plants, proper care should be taken to ensure it does not spread uncontrollably.CC BY-SA 4.0
Myrtle Dahoon is valued for its adaptability to wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, wetland restoration projects, and as a specimen plant in residential landscapes. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers acidic, moist to wet soils. While it tolerates standing water, it is also somewhat drought-tolerant once established. This species is relatively low-maintenance, but gardeners should watch for leaf spot and scale insects. It is not known to have aggressive roots or significant disease problems. Myrtle Dahoon is not typically invasive when grown outside its native range, but as with all plants, proper care should be taken to ensure it does not spread uncontrollably.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
- Height: 15-20 feet
- Width: 8-15 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Fragrant, Hedges, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Native to wetlands including swamps, marshes, and wet flatwoods in the Southeastern United States
Other Names
Common Names: Myrtle-Leaved Holly
Scientific Names: , Ilex myrtifolia, Ilex cassine var. myrtifolia, Ilex cassine subsp. myrtifolia,
GBIF Accepted Name: Ilex myrtifolia Lam.