FNPS Plant Database
Ilex glabra
Nomenclature
Common Name:
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Family:
Aquifoliaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
Size:
Life Span:
Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
Phenology:
Noted For:
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Considerations:
Availability:
Propagation:
Light:
Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry
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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Somewhat long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand
Soil pH:
Suitable to Grow In:
8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B
USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.
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Vouchered In:
Ecology
Wildlife:
Bees pollinate flowers. Documented bees include Colletes banksi, C. brimleyi, C. inandibularis, C. nudus, Perdita floridensis, Agapostemon splendens, Augochlora pura, Augochloropsis anonyma, A. metallica, Dialictus coreopsis, D. miniatulus, D. nyinphalis, D. placidensis, D. tegularis, Sphecodes brachycephalus, S. heraclei, Anthidiellum notatum rufimaculatum, A. perplexum, Anthidium maculifrons, Coelioxys sayi, Dianthidium floridiense, Megachile albitarsis, M. brevis pseudobreuis, M. exilis parexilis, M. mendica, M. petulans, M. policaris, M. rugifrons, M. texana, M. xylocopoides, Epeolus erigeronis, E. glabratus, E. pusillus, E. zonatus, Apis mellifera (honeybee), Bombus impatiens, Xylocopa micans and X. virginica krombeini (Deyrup et al. 2002).
Fruits are eaten by birds though it is bitter and often eaten as a last resort.
Native Habitats:
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
Citations:
Morton Arboretum. (2021). Inkberry. ( https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/inkberry/ ). Accessed 2026. Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.
Deyrup, Mark, Jay Edirisinghe, and Beth Norden. (2002). The diversity and floral hosts of bees at the Archbold Biological Station, Florida (Hymenoptera: Apoidea). Insecta Mundi, 544.
Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Gallberry, Inkberry. Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Ilexglab ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.
Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.
Huegel, Craig N. (2010). Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
University of Tennessee Extension Service. (2010). Desired pH Range and salt tolerance of common nursery plants. ( https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/10/Desired-pH-Range-List.pdf ). Accessed 2026. University of Tennessee Extension, Knoxville.
Watkins, John and Thomas Sheehan. (1975). Florida Landscape Plants, Native and Exotic. University Presses of Florida, Gainesville.
Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.
