Winterberry, Black Alder, Ilex verticillata (L.) A. Gray, Native Minnesota shrub, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

(Black Alder). A large shrub growing in the Marsh at Eloise Butler, forming red 1/4 inch drupes in the fall, assuming that there are both male and female plants nearby as the sexes are separate (i.e. dioecious). It takes about 3 years for seedlings to develop their flowers. Flowers: The small greenish-white flowers with 5 to 7 petals form clusters in the leaf axils in early summer in our climate zone. Male and female flowers are stalked and same size, however, the female flowers have one to three flowers in the cluster and the male flowers have 2 to 10; only at this time can the sexes be determined. The leaves are sharply toothed, stalked, 1 1/2 to 4" long, lance to ovate shape, pointed at the tips, deep green in summer, hairy on the underside, and turning yellow in autumn. The bark is conspicuous with a thin brown outer surface with whitish patches (lenticels). Twigs are slender, brownish, with scattered light colored lenticels. Buds are small and may have a small persistent stipule on the side of the leaf scar. The drupes are very attractive and are eaten by about 50 species of birds, HOWEVER, the fruit should not be eaten by humans as it is a purgative. Inside is a hard nutlet.

Habitat: In the landscape it should be planted in areas that receive good moisture but marsh soil is not required. A large amount of sun is helpful. It can grow to 15 feet high with dense branches. Plants can be developed from rooted stem divisions and stem cuttings. The species name verticillata, means whorled and refers to the flowers and the drupes appearing as to surround the twig.

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Winterberry	Ilex verticillata (L.) A. Gray	Holly (Aquifoliaceae)	Woodland	Early Summer flowering, red drupes can be persistent into winter
Other names and notes	(Black Alder). A large shrub growing in the Marsh at Eloise Butler, forming red 1/4 inch drupes in the fall, assuming that there are both male and female plants nearby as the sexes are separate (i.e. dioecious). It takes about 3 years for seedlings to develop their flowers. Flowers: The small greenish-white flowers with 5 to 7 petals form clusters in the leaf axils in early summer in our climate zone. Male and female flowers are stalked and same size, however, the female flowers have one to three flowers in the cluster and the male flowers have 2 to 10; only at this time can the sexes be determined. The leaves are sharply toothed, stalked, 1 1/2 to 4" long, lance to ovate shape, pointed at the tips, deep green in summer, hairy on the underside, and turning yellow in autumn. The bark is conspicuous with a thin brown outer surface with whitish patches (lenticels). Twigs are slender, brownish, with scattered light colored lenticels. Buds are small and may have a small persistent stipule on the side of the leaf scar. The drupes are very attractive and are eaten by about 50 species of birds, HOWEVER, the fruit should not be eaten by humans as it is a purgative. Inside is a hard nutlet. Habitat: In the landscape it should be planted in areas that receive good moisture but marsh soil is not required. A large amount of sun is helpful. It can grow to 15 feet high with dense branches. Plants can be developed from rooted stem divisions and stem cuttings. The species name verticillata, means whorled and refers to the flowers and the drupes appearing as to surround the twig.