Description
Inkberry (Ilex glabra) is an upright evergreen shrub in the Holly family that grows naturally in bogs and wet woods of coastal plains. The small, inconspicuous, white-green flowers give way to black berries in the fall. These berries are a popular food source for birds and small mammals, but they can be mildly toxic to humans. The nectar produced in spring attracts bees, butterflies, and other native pollinators, and Inkberry is the larval host to Henry’s Elfin Butterfly (shown above). It is commonly used as a hedge for a screen or wind break, and it performs well in wet sites.
