Aquifoliaceae: Ilex verticillata (L.) Gray.
(common winterberry, Canada holly, black alder)
Winterberry is a deciduous holly common throughout Nova Scotia in damp woods and thickets on wet ground with a preference for acid soils. It has distinctive alternately borne leaves which are shiny on top, dark green, rough veined and coarsely serrated. Small, creamy white, flowers are produced in mid-summer. The species is dioecious. Bright red berries develop on female plants and are retained after the leaves drop if not eaten by wildlife. Winterberry is native to eastern North America. Horticultural varieties are popular in the U.S.
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. |
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 Inkberry, Canada holly, false holly. |
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July 13, 2006. Halifax County: Long Lake (Halifax), by water's edge. Photographer: JackPine. |
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 Male plant & flowers. |
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July 20, 2008. Halifax County: old road by York Redoubt. Photographer: JackPine. |
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 Female plant & flowers. |
Flowers are approximately 6.5 mm diameter. |
 Male plant & flowers. |
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August 18, 2005. Halifax County: Polly's Cove. Photographer: JackPine. |
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October 1, 2006. Halifax County: Pine Island Ponds area (near Herring Cove). Photographer: JackPine. |
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October 22, 2005. Halifax County:Crystal Crescent Beach area (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