Leaf Morphology
During our discussion of plant identification, I mentioned there was a good graphic for leaf morphology.
Here it is:
During our discussion of plant identification, I mentioned there was a good graphic for leaf morphology.
Here it is:
During the bioblitz we had some questions about the hollies growing along the river. I had initially suggested they were Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria), but given how thin the leaves were, I believe they are Carolina Holly (Ilex ambigua).
This is an excerpt from "Eat the Weeds" by Green Deane
http://www.eattheweeds.com/hollies-caffein-antioxidants/
(I believe it may be based on Wunderlin, R. P., & Poppleton, J. E. (1977). The Florida species of Ilex (Aquifoliaceae). Florida Scientist, 7-21.)
Keying out Ilexes in Florida
Leaves thin, membranous
Leaves evergreen, entire or rarely denticulate, fruit dull purplish to black, plants of south Florida only ... Ilex krugiana
Leaves deciduousLeaves pubescent on most of the upper surface, margins serrateLeaf blades elliptic with a rounded leaf base, 6-9 cm long ... Ilex amelanchier
Leaves smooth on the upper surface, margins crenate to serrateLeaf blades oblanceolate to ovate, 2-6 cm long, margins crenate ... Ilex decidua
Leaf blades elliptic to ovate, margins serrate to crenateLeaves with conspicuous veins, flowers and fruit appear singly or in clusters up to 3, in the leaf axils ... Ilex verticillata
Leaves without conspicuous veins, flowers and fruit appear clustered from spur shoots ... Ilex ambigua
Fruit red to yellowLeaf blade with sharp pointed teeth, these are usually regularly spaced ... Ilex opaca
Leaf blade entire, crenate or serrulateLeaf blades with a rounded apex ... Ilex vomitoria
Leaf blades with a sharp, pointed apexLeaf blades 1-4 cm long and usually less than 1.5 cm wide, margins entire, tip sharp pointed ... Ilex myrtifolia
Leaf blades generally longer than 4 cm and wider than 2 cm, may have a few teeth at the tip or with a single sharp point ... Ilex cassine
Fruit blackLeaves crenate, leaves often cupped, 3-5 cm long ... Ilex glabra
Leaves with a few small teeth, leaves somewhat cupped, 4-7 cm long ... em>Ilex coriacea