Aquifoliaceae: Nemopanthus mucronatus (L.) Loes.
(false holly, mountain holly, catberry)
This sometimes very large shrub is common thoughout Nova Scotia in damp, acid habitats. It has alternately borne, simple (undivided), thin leaves with smooth or finely toothed margins. Small whitish to yellow-green flowers on long pedicels appear in mid spring, male and female flowers on separate plants. The fruit is a deep red drupe. The species is native to eastern North America.
Sources | Selected Web Resources | Line Drawing
Click on images for larger versions.
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February 11, 2007. Halifax County: Peggy's Cove area (Chebucto Peninsula). Photographer: JackPine. Notes |
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Inkberry, Canada holly, false holly, |
 Inkberry, Canada holly, false holly, |
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| May 31, 2006. Halifax County: Black Duck Run (Chebucto Peninsula). Photographer: JackPine. | |
Inflorescence (female). |
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| May 31, 2007. Halifax County: Herring Cove backlands. Photographer: JackPine. | |
Plant with male flowers. |
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 Bar in photo at leaft is 1 cm. |
| July 6, 2006 (left) and Aug. 10 (right). Halifax County: Peggy's Cove Barrens. Photographer: JackPine. | |
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| August 18, 2006. Halifax County: Peggy's Cove Barrens. Photographer: JackPine. | |
Ravine habitat: N. mucronata formed dense thickets in a ravine about 3 m deep; plants were 4-5 meters in height. At right: witherod (Viburnum lantanoides) in foreground, N. muronatus behind (viewed at the top of the ravine.) |
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 Looking up into the canopy from ravine floor. | 
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| September 26, 2005. Halifax County: Pine Island Ponds area (near Herring Cove). Photographer: JackPine. | |
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| October 1, 2006. Halifax County: Small bog on Herring Cove Road. Photographer: JackPine. | |
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| November 30, 2006. Halifax County: Indian Harbour barrens (Chebucto Peninsula). Photographer: JackPine. | |
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Selected Web Resources
- Taxonomic Status (ITIS) Copy the species name above and paste it into a form on this ITIS Canada page to confirm the nomenclature and list synonyms.
- NatureServe Explorer Copy the species name above and paste it into a form on this page to view a map of its distribution within North America and its conservation status by province and state.
Page posted 7 Oct. 2007. Modified 21 Jan. 2009.
Copyright © Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society & Photographers