Maconcona

Ilex guianensis

Native to:
Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Aquifoliaceae
Genus:
Ilex
Species:
Ilex guianensis
USDA Symbol:
ILGU

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
1500 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
mar,apr,may
Bloom Colors:
white, cream

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds
Deer Resistant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers humid tropical forest conditions

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–120 days
Germination Time:
30–365 days
Notes:
Ilex seeds often exhibit double dormancy and may take 1-2 years to germinate. Warm stratification followed by cold stratification improves germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring.

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society