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The yaupon holly is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows 20-25 ft (6.1-7.6 m) in height. It typically produces multiple stems to form dense shrubby clumps. The yaupon has simple, leathery, dark green leaves leaves that are held alternately on the branches. Leaves are oval shape, usually about 0.25-1 in (0.6-2.5 cm) and crenate (like sawteeth) along the edges. Yaupon is dioecious which means that male and female flowers are born on separate plants. The tiny white flower appear in spring in great numbers and are borne in the leaf axils, close against the stem. Female flowers are following by small bright red berries that persist on the trees through fall and winter. The bark is smooth and gray and is often mottled with yellow-green patches of lichen.
Yaupon inhabits a variety of habitats from dry sand hills to swamps to coastal regions in the southeastern United States, from southern Virginia to central Florida, and west to Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Culture
Usage
Its dark green, evergreen leaves and bright red berries make this shrub quite decorative. Yaupon is very tolerant of a variety of site conditions. The leaves of this shrub are emetic (cause vomiting) and purgative. Native Americans used yaupon as a ceremonial intoxicant and for medicinal purposes. An infusion from the young leaves and twig tips, called black drink by some tribes, contains caffeine and other compounds (some of which may be mildly toxic). It has been used as a beverage since the beginning of history. The yaupon holly berries provides an important source of food for birds and other wildlife in late winter when there's not a lot of other things to eat. They in turn, are kind enough to disperse the seeds of this fine plant far and wide but especially under utility lines, fences and other roosting spots. To encourage migratory birds to stop at my place I encourage the yaupon (which is native to North Florida) and plant other native fruiting species like Carolina cherry laurel (Prunus caroliniana) and wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera). Jack Scheper 6/7/97; updated 1/5/01, 2/9/04, 12/29/04
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