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Description
Ilex Asprella is a species of evergreen shrub belonging to the Aquifoliaceae family. It is native to China, where it grows in the subtropical forests of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian provinces. The plant has an upright form, with a height ranging from 1.5 to 5 meters, and a spread of up to 3 meters. Its leaves are glossy, leathery, and ovate to elliptic in shape, measuring around 5 to 11 cm long and 2 to 6 cm wide. The flowers are small, white or greenish-white, and bloom in late spring or early summer. The fruit is a bright red drupe, about 6 to 8 mm in diameter, and contains four to six seeds.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain| Eukaryota||————-|—————|| Kingdom| Plantae|| Phylum| Spermatophyta|| Class| Magnoliopsida|| Order| Aquifoliales|| Family| Aquifoliaceae|| Genus| Ilex|| Species| Asprella|
Appearance
Ilex Asprella is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 5 meters tall and 3 meters wide. Its glossy, leathery leaves are ovate to elliptic in shape and measure around 5 to 11 cm long and 2 to 6 cm wide. The leaves are dark green on the upper side and paler on the underside. The plant produces small, white or greenish-white flowers in late spring or early summer, which are followed by bright red drupes in the fall. The fruit contains four to six seeds and is about 6 to 8 mm in diameter.
Care Guide
Ilex Asprella is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for. Here are some tips on how to care for this plant:Water: Water the plant regularly during the growing season, but make sure the soil is well-drained. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in the spring and summer to promote healthy growth.Soil: Ilex Asprella prefers well-drained, acidic soil. If the soil is too alkaline, the plant may develop chlorosis.Sunlight: The plant prefers partial shade to full sun. In hotter climates, it may benefit from some shade during the hottest part of the day.Hardiness Zones: Ilex Asprella is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10.
Common Pests & Diseases
Ilex Asprella is generally free from serious pests and diseases. However, it may be susceptible to the following issues:Pests: Spider mites, scale insects, and whiteflies may infest the plant.Diseases: The plant may be affected by anthracnose, leaf spot, and powdery mildew.
Habitat
Ilex Asprella is native to the subtropical forests of China, where it grows at elevations of 300 to 1300 meters above sea level. It prefers well-drained, acidic soil and partial shade to full sun.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Ilex Asprella a fast-growing plant?
A: No, Ilex Asprella is a slow-growing plant.Q: Can Ilex Asprella be grown indoors?
A: No, Ilex Asprella is an outdoor plant.Q: How often should I water Ilex Asprella?
A: Water the plant regularly during the growing season, but make sure the soil is well-drained. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.Q: What is the hardiness zone for Ilex Asprella?
A: Ilex Asprella is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10.
Related Plants
Here are some closely related plants to Ilex Asprella:- Ilex aquifolium- Ilex crenata- Ilex opaca- Ilex vomitoria
References
– “Ilex asprella.” Floridata. University of South Florida, n.d. Web. 22 Sep. 2021.- “Ilex asprella.” Missouri Botanical Garden. Missouri Botanical Garden, n.d. Web. 22 Sep. 2021.- “Ilex asprella.” Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, n.d. Web. 22 Sep. 2021.
