Round-leaf holly
Ilex rotunda · Aquifoliaceae · 먼나무
How to spot it
The similar Ilex integra flowers in March to April and has fruit 1 to 1.2 cm across, which separates it from this species, which flowers in May to June and has fruit 5 to 8 mm across.
Look
- Leaves
- Thick, elliptic to long elliptic, 4 to 11 cm long and 3 to 4 cm wide; the midrib is sunken above and raised beneath, and the leaf turns brown when dry.
- Flowers
- Pale purple, 4 mm across, with 4 to 5 sepals and petals each; blooms in May to June.
- Fruit
- The drupe is round, red, 5 to 8 mm across, ripens in October and stays on the branches through winter.
- Bark
- Bark is greenish brown; twigs are hairless and dark brown.
Where it grows
- In Korea
- Native
- Native to
- China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Japan; in Korea native to Jeju-do and Bogildo in Jeollanam-do.
- Ecology
- A moderately shade-tolerant tree that grows well on the seashore with strong salt tolerance and resists air pollution. Weak against cold and drought.