Ilex ambigua
| Ilex ambigua | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons |
| Order: | Celastrales |
| Family: | Aquifoliaceae |
| Genus: | Ilex |
| Species: | I. ambigua |
| Binomial name | |
| Ilex ambigua (Michx.) Torr. | |
| |
| Natural range of Ilex ambigua from USDA NRCS Plants Database. | |
Common name: Carolina holly
Contents
Taxonomic notes
Description
I. ambigua is a perennial large shrub or small tree that has glabrous to densely pubescent, irregular branches. The fruit is a red, translucent drupe that is eaten by animals such as birds, squirrels and deer [1].
Distribution
The native range includes the Coastal Plain from North Carolina, northern Georgia, northern Alabama, central Arkansas, and southeastern Oklahoma south to central Florida, the Gulf Coast, and eastern Texas [1].
Ecology
Habitat
In the Coastal Plain in Florida and Georgia, Ilex ambigua occurs in well drained sites such as magnolia-hickory hammocks, longleaf pine-turkey oak sand ridges, edges of limestone sinks, Pinus clausa/Ceratolia scrubs, stabilized sand dunes, and calcareous slopes in mesic deciduous woodlands. Stephenson (1986) found that I. ambigua is one of the leading dominants in successional areas that were once dominated by the American chestnut. It appears in disturbed areas such as old fields, railroad beds, and disturbed pine flatwoods (FSU Herbarium). Soils include loam, sand, loamy sand, and reddish clay (FSU Herbarium). Associated species include Ilex vomitoria, I. opaca, I. glabra, Panicum commutatum, Calamintha georgiana, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Castanea pumila, Crataegus, Desmodium ochroleucum and Commelina erecta (FSU Herbarium).
Phenology
This is a dioecious species that produces sessile, red, translucent, drupes when fertilized [1]. The fruits are elliptical, rather than round and fall quick after ripening [2]. Flowers April through May and fruits April through December (FSU Herbarium).
Seed dispersal
Seed bank and germination
Fire ecology
Pollination
The following Hymenoptera families and species were observed visiting flowers of Ilex ambigua at Archbold Biological Station (Deyrup 2015):
Apidae: Apis mellifera
Halictidae: Agapostemon splendens, Lasioglossum pectoralis
Leucospididae: Leucospis slossonae
Pompilidae: Anoplius marginalis
Sphecidae: Cerceris fumipennis, Isodontia mexicana
Vespidae: Euodynerus boscii boharti, Polistes metricus, Stenodynerus lineatifrons, Zethus spinipes
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.
Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: October 2015. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, George R. Cooley, Kathleen Craddock Burks, A. Gholson Jr., Robert K. Godfrey, Mary G. Henry, Melvin Jackson, Lisa Keppner, R. Kral, Sidney McDaniel, Mary E. Nolan, R.A. Norris, James D. Ray Jr. States and Counties: Florida: Alachua, Calhoun, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Holmes, Jackson, Lake, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Orange, Sarasota, Wakulla, Walton, Washington. Georgia: Baker, Decatur, Grady, Marion. Compiled by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.
