Meadow holly (Ilex decidua)
Description
“Pet poisonous” – Toxic parts: berries Ilex decidua (meadow holly, also called "possumhaw", "deciduous holly" or "swamp holly") is a species of holly native to the United States. Distinguishing features of this species are crenate leaf margins and fruiting pedicels that are 2–8 mm long. Its "distinctive leaf shape... is less variable than other species of holly". Leaves are obovate, simple, alternating, deciduous, and grow to 2.5-7.5 cm long. Drupe fruits are red (or rarely yellow), shiny, and globose (spherical, or nearly so), with a diameter of 4–8 mm. The pulp is bitter; they contain 3-5 seeds and mature in autumn. Slender twigs are glabrous and silvery gray, with numerous spur shoots, pointed lateral buds, and acuminate scales. Bark is "light brown to gray" in color and may be smooth or "warty and roughened".
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Aquifoliales
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Family: Aquifoliaceae
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Genus: Ilex
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