Common Yaupon Holly, also known as Yaupon or Cassine
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Aquifoliales, Family: Aquifoliaceae, Genus: Ilex, Species: Ilex vomitoria · Aquifoliales (Holly family) · Simple, evergreen leaf
Species
Ilex vomitoria
Leaf Type
Simple, evergreen leaf
Family
Aquifoliales (Holly family)
Shape
Elliptical to oblong with a rounded apex
Size
Approximately 1 to 2 inches long and 0.5 to 1 inch wide, which is typical for this evergreen shrub species
Margin
Crenate to serrate with small, rounded to blunt teeth along the edges
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the woody stems
Rarity
Very Common within its native southeastern United States range
Color & Pattern
Vibrant medium to dark green on the upper surface with a slightly paler underside; no variegation or unusual patterns present
Venation Pattern
Pinnate venation with a prominent midrib running down the center and branching side veins
Texture & Surface
Leathery and coriaceous with a smooth, glabrous surface and a slight sheen on the upper side
Description
Ilex vomitoria, commonly known as Yaupon Holly, is a dense, upright evergreen shrub or small tree native to the southeastern United States. It features small, leathery, dark green leaves, smooth gray bark, and produces abundant bright red berries on female plants during the fall and winter months. The plant is exceptionally hardy, drought-tolerant, and often used in ornamental landscaping and hedges.
Key Features
Small, alternate, oval-to-elliptical evergreen leaves with crenate margins, smooth gray bark, and bright red spherical berries clustered tightly along the twigs in autumn and winter
Habitat
Thrives in moist woods, sandy soils, coastal dunes, bottomlands, and swamp margins, tolerating both wet soils and drought well in full sun to partial shade
Geographic Range
Native to the southeastern United States, ranging from Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma
Condition Notes
The leaves show minor insect feeding damage with small circular holes and minor grazing along the margins, but overall the specimen appears vigorous and healthy with a good green color, grading as Good
Interesting Facts
Yaupon Holly is the only known native North American plant containing caffeine. Indigenous peoples of the Southeast used the leaves to brew a ceremonial 'black drink' used for purification and rituals, and the species name 'vomitoria' stems from the mistaken European belief that the ceremonial tea induced vomiting
Medicinal & Uses
Historically used by Native Americans as a caffeinated stimulant tea and ceremonial emetic. Today, it is widely utilized in southern landscaping for hedges, topiary, and erosion control due to its exceptional tolerance of pruning and salt spray
Ecological Role
Provides vital food and cover for numerous species of songbirds, wild turkeys, and small mammals who consume the bright red berries, while flowers attract various native pollinators
Similar Species
Dahoon Holly (Ilex cassine) which typically has larger, less crenate leaves and prefers wetter habitats, and American Holly (Ilex opaca) which features much larger leaves with spiny, prickly tips
Foraging Tips
Look for dense evergreen thickets in coastal plains, sandy woodlands, or suburban landscapes throughout the southeastern US. Harvest leaves year-round for brewing, though spring flush offers tender growth; ensure positive identification before consuming
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic; the leaves are famously used to brew a caffeinated herbal tea, though excessive consumption of raw berries can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets and humans