#possumhaw

[stopandlook]

Scientific Name: Ilex decidua Common Name(s): Possumhaw Family: Aquifoliaceae (holly) Life Cycle: Perennial Leaf Retention: Deciduous Habit: Tree, shrub USDA L48 Native Status: Native Location: Plano, Texas Season(s): Fall

[pagan-stitches]

Walking the bounds Autumn Equinox week 2022

[arborholic]

I often get asked why I "say the scientific name" after I identify a tree. It's because all plants have only one binomial name and that binomial applies to only one species. Here I have a small tree/large shrub that I call "deciduous holly" but folks here call "possum haw". I think the local common name is ugly and unfair for such a gorgeous creature. But also, possumhaw is used for other plants in other parts of the country. Deciduous holly is slightly prettier sounding, but it also is not unique to this species.

The binomial, however, is pretty sounding AND unique (and descriptive) - Ilex decidua. Ilex says it's a holly and decidua says it's deciduous.

[faguscarolinensis]

Ilex decidua / Possumhaw at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, NC

[joearf]

2022.10.10: The meadow holly (ilex decidua). ‘Arborists may recommend this plant for parking lot buffer strips and islands…’ which is exactly what I found it doing being used for (as well as providing food for a large number of American Robins) - Tod’s Point, Old Greenwich, CT

[vandaliatraveler]

Dolly Sods and the adjacent Flat Rock and Roaring Plains sprawl across a rugged plateau at the edge of the Allegheny Front, which drains much of the moisture from passing clouds. The water drains poorly on the plateau, resulting in sphagnum bogs that host a variety of plants and animals uniquely adapted to the cool, acidic environment.

From top: Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), which in combination with blueberry, huckleberry and minniebush forms impenetrable thickets along the edges of the bogs; spoonleaf sundew (Drosera intermedia), also known as spatulate-leaved sundew, one of two species of carnivorous sundew to grow here; small cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), also known as bog cranberry, whose tiny flowers have strongly recurved petals; possumhaw viburnum (Viburnum nudum), also known as wild raisin due to its vibrantly-hued fruits in the fall; canaan fir (Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis), a recognized subspecies of balsam fir known from only a few locations in West Virginia and Virginia; and bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), which grows prolifically in the dappled sunlight along trail edges.

[lowkeynando]

POSSUMHAW AND POSSUMHAW CLONES AND POSSUMHAWS AND POSSUMHAWS CLONES

[crudlynaturephotos]

[petitepointplace]

A solstice trade. 2018

[pagan-stitches]

After several years where the possumhaw produced next to no berries, it’s overflowing this year.

[debracaffey]

Beautiful winter day in Texas! #capturedinthemoment #icicles #frozen #frozenwaterdrops #possumhawholly #possumhaw #winter #naturephotography #nature #naturelovers #naturelover #texaswinter #texas #fortworth (at Ridglea Hills, Fort Worth) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsKGNcNHDbf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=w4d2xkxhzu6p

[continent-of-wild-endeavor]

Viburnum nudum - possumhaw viburnum

[seabeck]

Possumhaw

[vandaliatraveler]

Young ‘un in the possumhaw and bracken. Momma hid close by and eventually moved on as she foraged through the bush, followed in lockstep by the fawn.

[rifter-pride]

decided to retire Bilsted/Possumhaw from my regular pairs rotation but just couldn’t bring myself to exalt Bilsted

he is legit just too pretty