Difference between revisions of "Ilex opaca"

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==Ecology==
 
==Ecology==
 
===Habitat=== <!--Natural communities, human disturbed habitats, topography, hydrology, soils, light, fire regime requirements for removal of competition, etc.-->
 
===Habitat=== <!--Natural communities, human disturbed habitats, topography, hydrology, soils, light, fire regime requirements for removal of competition, etc.-->
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Ideal habitats are moist, acidic, well-drained soils such as mesic hammocks, sand pine-oak woods, bordering floodplains, deciduous woodland on limestone, and mesic steepheads (FSU Herbarium). Soils include sandy loam, loam, medium loam, and does not favor well in clay<ref name="wildflower">(FSU Herbarium).
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===Phenology=== <!--Timing off flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal, and environmental triggers.  Cite PanFlora website if appropriate: http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ -->
 
===Phenology=== <!--Timing off flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal, and environmental triggers.  Cite PanFlora website if appropriate: http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ -->
 
===Seed dispersal===
 
===Seed dispersal===

Revision as of 15:37, 7 January 2016

Ilex opaca
Insert.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons
Order: Celastrales
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Genus: Ilex
Species: I. opaca
Binomial name
Ilex opaca
Aiton
Ilex opac dist.jpg
Natural range of Ilex opaca from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: American holly

Taxonomic notes

Description

I. opaca is a upright evergreen tree that is commonly known as the Christmas holly. It is the only native holly in the U.S. to have spiny green, leathery leaves and bright red berries [1]. The fine-textured wood is ideal for inlays in cabinetwork, carvings and vanier [2].

Distribution

Ecology

Habitat

Ideal habitats are moist, acidic, well-drained soils such as mesic hammocks, sand pine-oak woods, bordering floodplains, deciduous woodland on limestone, and mesic steepheads (FSU Herbarium). Soils include sandy loam, loam, medium loam, and does not favor well in clay<ref name="wildflower">(FSU Herbarium).

Phenology

Seed dispersal

Seed bank and germination

Fire ecology

Pollination

The following Hymenoptera families and species were observed visiting flowers of Ilex opaca var. arenicola at Archbold Biological Station (Deyrup 2015):

Apidae: Apis mellifera, Bombus impatiens

Colletidae: Colletes banksi, C. brimleyi

Halictidae: Augochloropsis metallica, Augochloropsis sumptuosa

Megachilidae: Megachile petulans

Sphecidae: Cerceris rozeni, Gorytes dorothyae ruseolus, Hoplisoides denticulatus denticulatus, H. placidus placidus, Liris argentata, L. muesebecki, Pseudoplisus smithii floridanus, Tachysphex apicalis, T. similis, Tanyoprymnus moneduloides

Vespidae: Pachodynerus erynnis

Use by animals

Diseases and parasites

Conservation and Management

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

Deyrup, M.A. and N.D. 2015. Database of observations of Hymenoptera visitations to flowers of plants on Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA.

  1. [[1]] Missouri Botanical Garden Accessed: January 6, 2016
  2. [[2]]Accessed: January 6, 2016