Ontario Trees & Shrubs website

Winterberry
Ilex verticillata

Other common names: Black Alder, Common Winterberry

Family: Holly Family (Aquifoliaceae)

Distinctive features: Shrub

Similar species:
  •   Mountain Holly (Ilex mucronata)


Flowers: Summer;  White;  7 or more parts (petals)

Leaves: Alternate, Simple, Toothed

Fruit/Seeds: Red berriesthat remain on the plant into winter, hence the name.

Habitat: Wet Areas;  Winterberry is a shrub of swamps and marshes. It likes to have its "feet" wet.

Books: Trees in Canada: 274    Shrubs of Ontario: 283    Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 396   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Common.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: verticillata: whorled


Photographs: 290 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page
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Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Winterberry leaves and unopened flower buds, in June.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Here's why it's called "Winterberry" - this was taken in the middle of the winter. The berries are still bright red and plump. I don't know if they're edible.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Sometimes the berries dry out, as shown here.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Bark.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

And the winter twig.
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Range map for Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)