Inkberry
Ilex glabra
Photo (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- Ilex glabra
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 12-20 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul, aug, sep
- Bloom Colors:
- White
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Canada: Nova Scotia
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
- Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), lilac sphinx (Sphinx kalmiae), pawpaw sphinx (Dolba hyloeus), Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus) Butterflies:American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), Azure sp. (Celastrina Tutt), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus), Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus), Hairstreak sp. (Satyrium Scudder), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Southern Cloudywing (Cecropterus Herrich-Schäffer), Spicebush Swallowtail (Pterourus troilus), Swarthy Skipper (Nastra lherminier), Swarthy Skipper (Nastra lherminier)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in bogs and wetlands