Plant · P-932

Yaupon Holly

Ilex vomitoria

Yaupon holly is an evergreen dioecious shrub or small tree native to sandy pinelands maritime woods and limestone uplands from the coastal southeastern United States west to central Texas. Its leaves contain caffeine and were historically brewed into a ceremonial black drink - one of very few caffeine sources native to North America. Tolerates a very wide range of conditions: full sun to deep shade though heavier fruiting and denser growth come with more sun; sandy loamy or clay soil from acid through alkaline; and both drought and occasional flooding once established. Low tolerance for high calcium carbonate soils is noted by one source despite its general soil flexibility. Typically 10-20 ft tall and 8-12 ft wide in cultivation though wild specimens reach 45 ft. Suckers freely from the root and forms thickets unless the suckers are removed; birds eat and disperse the red fruit. Female plants need a male nearby to fruit.