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Ilex vomitoria f. pendula

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-leks vom-ih-TOR-ee-uh PEND-yoo-luh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Weeping yaupon holly is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Aquifoliaceae (holly) family native to eastern North America.  The genus name Ilex is in reference to the similarity of the evergreen leaves to Quercus ilex or holm oak.  The leaves of the parent plant were used for ceremonial tea, which, when consumed in large quantities, caused a cleansing now memorialized by the specific epithet vomitoria. Pendula is Latin for pendulous and refers to the weeping habit of this variety.

It is easy to grow with a tolerance for either dry and wet sites, drought and salt and urban conditions. It can reach 15 to 20 feet tall, sometimes as tall as 30 feet, and 6 to 12 feet wide. The weeping form makes it great as a specimen or accent plant. Red berries are attractive to birds and small mammals. Flowers appear in spring on separate male and female plants. Female shrubs produce red drupes in fall if fertilized. Plants of this species are dioecious (separate male and female plants) and female plants need a male pollinator in the area in order to bear fruit. The plant will form thickets unless suckers are removed.

Plant Weeping Yaupon Holly in average well-drained soils in sun to shade, though female plants will produce more fruit and both male and female will have a thicker canopy with more sun.  It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and can withstand both drought and occasional flooding. It makes a good screen, windbreak, or security plant, grows rapidly, and transplants easily. This plant can take heavy pruning and is good for topiary. 

Fire Risk: This plant has a high flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:

Resistant to Phytophthora root rot. No insect or disease problems when planted in their native habitat.  Holly leaf miner, spider mites, whitefly, and scale are occasional problems. Leaf spot, leaf rot, tar spot, and powdery mildew are potential disease problems.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests.

VIDEO: Part of a series of Native Plant Picks from the North Carolina Sea Grant Coastal Landscapes Initiative.

More information on Ilex vomitoria.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County Woodland Backyard Garden Walk
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Folsom's Weeping' (syn. 'Gray's Weeping')
    Both female & male clones are given this name.
'Folsom's Weeping' (syn. 'Gray's Weeping')
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#nectar plant#salt tolerant#winter interest#fall interest#topiary#specialized bees#highly beneficial coastal plants#deer resistant#red fruits#pollinator plant#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#wildlife friendly#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Folsom's Weeping' (syn. 'Gray's Weeping')
    Both female & male clones are given this name.
'Folsom's Weeping' (syn. 'Gray's Weeping')
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#nectar plant#salt tolerant#winter interest#fall interest#topiary#specialized bees#highly beneficial coastal plants#deer resistant#red fruits#pollinator plant#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#wildlife friendly#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ilex
    Species:
    vomitoria
    Family:
    Aquifoliaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native American Indians used the leaves to make a ceremonial emetic drink which, when consumed in large quantities, caused a cleansing now memorialized by the specific epithet. Also contains caffeine.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern United States and Mexico.
    Distribution:
    Southern United States from Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    high flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruits are attractive to birds and small mammals. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Salt. Deer Damage. Resistant to Phytophthora root rot.
    Edibility:
    Use caution. The young leaves may be picked, browned and dried in an oven, steeped in hot water and used to make Yaupon tea. It contains caffeine. In quantities, can be mildly toxic.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Produces translucent, small red berries that usually persist to spring.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    White inconspicuous but fragrant flowers in spring appear on male and female plants. The flowers are fragrant and grow solitary or in pairs and are clustered on peduncles in leaf axils. Petioles are purplish.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Ovate, alternate, simple leaves, 1/4 inch to 3/4 inches, with serrate to crenate margins. Rounded apex and base.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    White
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Thin, smooth and light gray to almost white. As the tree ages, the bark might become a bit scaly.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Very young stems are purplish in color and turn silvery-gray as they age.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pond
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Salt
    Wet Soil
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits