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Ilex glabra,
commonly called inkberry or gallberry, is a slow-growing, upright-rounded,
stoloniferous, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the holly family. It typically
matures to 5-8’ tall, and can spread by root suckers to form colonies. It is
native to the coastal plain from Nova Scotia to Florida to Louisiana where it
is most commonly found in sandy woods and peripheries of swamps and bogs.
Spineless, flat, ovate to elliptic, glossy, dark green leaves (to 1.5” long)
have smooth margins with several marginal teeth near the apex. Leaves usually
remain attractive in winter unless temperatures dip well below zero. Greenish
white flowers (male in cymes and female in cymes or single) appear in spring,
but are relatively inconspicuous. If pollinated, female flowers give way to
pea-sized, jet black, berry-like drupes (inkberries to 3/8″ diameter)
which mature in early fall and persist throughout winter to early spring unless
consumed by local bird populations. Gallberry honey is a highly-rated honey
that results from bees feeding on inkberry flowers. This honey is locally
produced in certain parts of the Southeastern U.S. in areas where beekeepers
release bees from late April to early June to coincide with inkberry flowering
time. Dried and roasted inkberry leaves were first used by Native Americans to
brew a black tea-like drink, hence the sometimes used common name of
Appalachian tea for this shrub.
Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils
in full sun to part shade. Adaptable to both light and heavy soils. Tolerates
wet soils. Prefers rich, consistently moist, acidic soils in full sun. Good
shade tolerance, however. Avoid neutral to alkaline soils. Inkberries are
dioecious (separate male and female plants). Female plants need a male
pollinator in order to produce the berry-like drupes that are characteristic of
the species and cultivars.
Growing Instructions
The seeds have a
period of dormancy. They can be planted in the fall for spring germination or
they can be cold stratified to simulate winter conditions and to break their
dormancy.
1. Scarify the seeds
by nicking or sanding the seed coat.
2. Soak the seed in
water for several hours.
3. Place the seeds
in a plastic bag and seal it. Store the bag in a refrigerator for two months.
4. Fill a pot with
potting soil.
5. Sow the seeds on
the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil.
6. Water the
container and leave it to drain.
7. Put the pot in a
warm, sunny area.
8. Water the pot
regularly so that the soil is moist but not wet.
9. The seedlings can
be transplanted when they are a few inches tall.
Lucas (verified owner) –
They arrived very fresh and not bruised. They were delicious.
Phoenix (verified owner) –
Good service.
Tyler (verified owner) –
Good quality.
Kai (verified owner) –
Great seeds, I now have squash everywhere from this one pack of seeds
Nicholas (verified owner) –
Good quality.