Plants Active during the day

dahoon holly

Ilex cassine

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A coastal classic with vibrant winter appeal, the dahoon holly is a lush evergreen that transforms damp backyard corners into bustling bird sanctuaries.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Height of 6-12 m (20-40 ft) with a spread of 3-6 m (10-20 ft)

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Colors

Lustrous dark green leaves; bright red (occasionally yellow) berries; smooth, light gray bark

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Key Features

Oblong, leathery leaves usually lacking sharp spines
Dense clusters of pea-sized bright red berries on female trees
Smooth, pale gray bark often decorated with colorful lichens
Small, four-lobed white flowers appearing in spring

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6 AM - 6 PM (Visibility for wildlife interactions)

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Season November-February for berries; April-May for flowering

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Diet As a plant, it produces energy via photosynthesis; it thrives in acidic, moist-to-wet soils and requires nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from the soil.

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Habitat Wetlands, swamps, bogs, and coastal hammocks; also thrives in suburban rain gardens and moist landscape borders.

public Geographic range

Where Does the dahoon holly Live?

Native to the humid coastal regions of North America, the dahoon holly is primarily found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Its range stretches from southeastern Virginia down through the entire Florida peninsula, extending west into Texas as far as the Colorado River. It also populates parts of the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, as well as coastal areas of Mexico.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

5 Countries

1.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States MX Mexico Bahamas Cuba Puerto Rico

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The dahoon holly is a graceful, evergreen tree that serves as a vital anchor for southeastern wetland ecosystems. Unlike the prickly American holly, its leaves are relatively smooth, making it a friendlier addition to backyard landscapes. It is a dioecious species, meaning individual trees are either male or female; only the females produce the spectacular red fruit that persists through the winter months.

In the wild, it follows a slow but steady growth pattern, often forming a dense, rounded canopy that provides excellent nesting sites and thermal cover for birds. It is highly adapted to 'wet feet,' naturally occurring in areas where other trees might drown. For homeowners, it is a low-maintenance beauty that bridges the gap between ornamental landscaping and high-value wildlife support.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best action around a dahoon holly, focus your camera on the fruit-bearing female trees during the winter months. Position your camera on a nearby sturdy branch or a tripod about 5 to 7 feet off the ground, aiming at a clear cluster of red berries. This is a prime spot for 'set-and-forget' winter photography, as flocks of Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, and Northern Mockingbirds will frequently visit to forage. Use a fast shutter speed or high-frame-rate video to catch the quick movements of birds plucking berries.

During the spring, redirect your camera toward the small white flower clusters. While inconspicuous to humans, these are a magnet for pollinators. A camera with a good macro or close-focus capability can capture an array of native bees and butterflies. Because the dahoon holly often grows in damp areas, ensure your camera housing is rated for high humidity and check for lens fogging in the early morning hours.

Lighting is key for this species. The dark, glossy leaves can create high-contrast glares in direct overhead sun. Aim for a south-facing camera angle to get the best indirect light, or utilize the soft light of the 'golden hour' in the late afternoon, which makes the red berries glow against the dark foliage. If your camera has a time-lapse mode, consider setting it for a 24-hour cycle to see which nocturnal mammals, like opossums or raccoons, might visit the base of the tree to scavenge fallen fruit.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with dahoon holly.

American Holly

Features much pricklier leaves with sharp spines and can grow significantly taller than the dahoon.

Yaupon Holly

Has much smaller, oval leaves with finely serrated edges and a more shrub-like, multi-trunked growth habit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Wildlife activity is highest during the day, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon when songbirds visit to feed on berries or pollinators seek nectar from spring blossoms.

Ensure you have a female tree, as only females produce the red berries that attract birds. Planting it in a moist area and avoiding heavy pruning will provide the dense cover birds love for foraging.

The primary draw is the red berries (drupes), eaten by Cedar Waxwings, Robins, and Catbirds. The flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies, while the foliage is a host for certain moth larvae.

Yes, they are very common in suburban landscaping throughout the Southeast U.S. because they are easy to grow, evergreen, and tolerate the wet soils often found in residential drainage areas.

Dahoon holly leaves are generally smoother and lack the sharp, spine-tipped teeth found on American holly. Dahoon leaves are also typically narrower and more oblong.

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