Ilex Cassine

Description

Ilex Cassine is a small, evergreen tree that belongs to the holly family, Aquifoliaceae. It is commonly known as Dahoon Holly, Cassena, or Ilex vomitoria. This species is native to the southeastern United States, from Virginia to Florida and Texas. It typically grows in wetlands, swamps, and along the edges of ponds and streams.

Taxonomic Information

Appearance

Ilex Cassine can reach up to 30 feet in height, but it often grows as a shrub. It has a dense, rounded canopy and a straight trunk that can be up to 6 inches in diameter. The bark is gray and smooth. The leaves are dark green, glossy, and slightly serrated. They are oblong or elliptical, with a length of 2 to 4 inches and a width of 1 to 2 inches. The flowers are small, white, and inconspicuous. The fruit is a small, red drupe, which matures in the fall and persists through the winter.

Care Guide

Ilex Cassine is easy to grow and requires little maintenance. Here are some tips:

• Water: Water regularly during the first year of growth. After that, it can tolerate drought, but it prefers moist soil.
• Fertilization: Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing in late summer or fall.
• Soil: It prefers acidic, well-drained soil. It can tolerate a variety of soil types, including sandy and clay soils.
• Sunlight: It prefers partial shade to full sun. It can grow in full shade, but it may become leggy and sparse.
• Hardiness Zones: It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9.

Common Pests & Diseases

Ilex Cassine is relatively pest and disease-resistant, but it can be affected by the following:

• Scale insects: These sap-sucking insects can cause leaf yellowing and leaf drop. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to control them.
• Leaf spot: This fungal disease causes brown spots on the leaves. Remove infected leaves and avoid overhead watering.

Habitat

Ilex Cassine is native to the southeastern United States, from Virginia to Florida and Texas. It typically grows in wetlands, swamps, and along the edges of ponds and streams. It can also be found in upland forests and along coastal plains.

Question and Answer

• Q: Is Ilex Cassine poisonous?
• A: No, it is not poisonous, but its berries can cause mild stomach upset if ingested in large quantities.
• Q: Can Ilex Cassine be used as a hedge?
• A: Yes, it can be used as a hedge or screen, but it may require frequent pruning to maintain its shape.
• Q: Is Ilex Cassine deer-resistant?
• A: No, it is not deer-resistant. Deer may browse on the leaves and twigs.
• Q: Can Ilex Cassine be grown in a container?
• A: Yes, it can be grown in a container, but it may require more frequent watering and fertilization.

Related Plants

Other species in the Ilex genus include:

• Ilex opaca (American Holly)
• Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon Holly)
• Ilex aquifolium (English Holly)
• Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly)

References

• The Morton Arboretum. (n.d.). Ilex cassine. Retrieved from https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/dahoon-holly
• Florida Native Plant Society. (n.d.). Ilex cassine. Retrieved from https://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/ilex-cassine
• University of Florida IFAS Extension. (n.d.). Ilex cassine. Retrieved from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP615