Holly, Yaupon

When one hears the name Yaupon Holly or holly for that matter a tree dos not usually come to mind. However, most varieties of Yaupon left unattended or groomed as such will grow to have large trunks and be quite tall with relatively large crown spans. This woody native is quite the favorite of many wildlife species since it’s fruit is retained throughout the winter and the leaves provide protection from predators.

The Yaupon LEAF is Alternate, simple, evergreen, margin with rounded teeth, 1/2 to 1 1/2 inch long, shiny dark green above, pale below. If you grab one the “wrong” way you will see the teeth are spiny and sharp. The Yaupon FLOWER is dioecious, small greenish white, males numerous and in clusters, female solitary or in small clusters. They appear in late spring.

The FRUIT, a berry-like drupe, is dark orange to red, 1/4 to 1/3 inch in diameter, ripen in late summer, persistent well into the winter and usually numerous. The TWIGs are slender, stiff, initially purplish brown, velvety, but turning light gray and glabrous. The buds very small and dark. The BARK is thin, smooth and light gray, may be come a bit scaly.

The Yaupon FORM is as an Evergreen shrub forming thickets with numerous stems and branches and it can reach up to 20 feet or more in height with quite stocky trunks. Yaupons can be groomed into tree shape. It’s primarily an evergreen shrub native to East Texas and the south. Widely used as an ornamental shrub due to its shiny evergreen leaves and its’ red fruit remaining attached into winter. This combination makes it an attractive shrub in the winter, often used as a Christmas decoration.