Winterberry, Common winterberry, Black-alder, Dogberry, Fever bush, Michigan holly, Coral berry
Ilex verticillata
Family: Aquifoliaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It develops suckers. It loses its leaves during the year. The twigs are light brown and ridged. The leaves are oval and 4-10 cm long. They are finely toothed. The leaves are dark green above and hairy underneath. The flowers are in small clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are berry like. They are red or orange and 5-8 mm across.
There are about 400 Ilex species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows near swamps and along streams. It suits hardiness zones 3-9. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Canada, North America, Tasmania, USA
How it is used for food
The leaves are used for tea. They are dried slowly and crumbled then used for tea. They do not contain caffeine.
Edible parts
Leaves, leaves - tea
How it is grown
It can be grown from seed or by cuttings.