Yaupon Holly

Botanical specifications, native range classifications, and ecological benefits verified against official Texas botanical repositories.

Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) is an outstanding evergreen Texas shrub, tree in the Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family). Typically reaching 12 ft. in height with a spread of 8 ft., it is native across the East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, and Western Gulf Coastal Plain. Distinguished by dark foliage that is alternate, simple, evergreen, oblong to elliptic, rounded at the tip, rounded at the base, finely round-toothed along the edges, smooth, shiny, up to 1 1/2 inches long, up to 3/4 inch wide; leaf stalks hairy, up to 1/8 inch long, it offers an exceptional visual and tactile texture. During spring, the plant produces white flower clusters. Flowering is followed by drupes red, spherical, shiny, up to 1/4 inch in diameter, containing 4 nutlets. although technically drupes, the fruit is commonly referred to as berries that add vibrant visual contrast and seasonal interest. It plays a vital ecological role as a larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies, including Dusky-blue Groundstreak and Henry's Elfin. Many species of birds eat the fruit but usually only in late winter after several freezes and thaws. Mammals eat the fruit as well, and the flowers attract insects. Birds employ the dense branches for nesting sites. Thriving in clay, gravelly, limestone, loam, moist, poor drainage, sand, and well drained, Yaupon Holly demonstrates outstanding hardiness once established. It requires minimal supplemental water and adapts seamlessly to drought conditions. It features moderate deer resistance.

Larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies: Dusky-blue Groundstreak and Henry's Elfin. Verified online via Texas Entomology (Mike Quinn), Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Verified via Texas Entomology (Mike Quinn, texasento.net) and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (wildflower.org).