|
| |
Dahoon Holly Ilex cassine
As far as natives go, dahoon holly is one of the more commonly used small
trees (typical mature height of 30 feet or so). Their native territory is throughout the southeastern U.S., and the Caribbean islands. They
prefer to be on the edge of wet areas, but can be used anywhere, with sporadic
watering.
You often see them planted at the edge of drainage areas behind newer gas
stations. Look for them the next time you fill up.
|
|
| Dahoon holly is one of those sophisticated
plants with both male and female flowers. Above left, the male
(staminate) flowers hang in
profuse clusters. Above right, a close-up of the tiny flowers.
Pollinators scramble frantically around and through, like winners of a
three-minute shopping spree. They shout out things like, "Hey,
here's some nectar...here's some more over here, and here...and
here! Whew! I'm getting woozy...".
In the process, they get themselves fairly covered with pollen
hanging from sacs above the nectar. The pollen grains stick to their
bodies, and in a similar future feeding frenzy, they will rub or fall off
onto the female flower. Doesn't this sound slightly implausible
to you?
|
|
 |
It seems to work, though. At left is a group of female
(pistulate) flowers developing into berries |
|
The fruits hang in clusters, each one developed from a
pollinated flower. This cluster looks like a little
alien soldier, with a big heart. |
 |
|
While the fruits are not tasty to
humans, birds like them. Remember, birds aren't allowed in
supermarkets (well, okay, yes, it's true that birds with money can go in).
|
|
 |
|
|
| Sizes in stock: |
|
|
 |
 |
Above, in 3-gal., 3'-4' tall. Left, in
10-gal., about 6' high. Below, in 25-gal., 10'+ high. |
|
 |
|
