Les Harrison| Guest columnist
The recent frigid winter weather has had an effect on every living creature in Tallahassee and Leon County. The human population shivers and shakes, and dreads the power bill tripling.
The forest creatures also seek a warm, safe spot too, but without the option of artificial heat. Likely selections include burrows, bedding in wind shielded spots, and tree hollows, all of which can be found in local wild areas.
The next issue is getting comfort food to stay warm from the inside and maintain energy. Again, people have the advantage of numerous local choices ranging from the trendy and stylish (usually expensive) to the quick and greasy.
The wild animals and birds have far fewer options in February which are dispersed over a much wider area. Unlike menu options at area eateries, when the goodies are gone, they are absent until the next season.
One genus of native plants is still displaying its brilliant seasonal tones, indicating diners are welcome to stop by for a snack or meal. Local hollies are heavily laden with red berries and deep green leaves.
Ilexes, as hollies are botanically known, are common in the temperate to tropical parts of the globe, with species on every continent except Antarctica. There are approximately 500 individual species in this evergreen genus.
The greatest diversity of holly species occurs in the Americas. Curiously, Europe has a single native well-known species with is commonly associated with the Christmas season.
Plants in this genus have simple, alternate glossy leaves, usually with sharp spines on their leaf’s edge. Their inconspicuous flower is greenish white, with four petals and is a source of food for native pollinators during the warmer months of the year.
The berries now appearing are an important source of winter food. In return, the birds spread the undigested seeds to establish the next generation of this plant.
Humans and other mammals should not eat the berries because they can cause gastric distress. Hollies native to this region have red berries, but other colors appear in non-native species.
Generally slow growers, hollies can be either trees or shrubs. Fossil records indicate the earliest known ilex members have been around since the last days of the dinosaurs.
While there are many exotic hollies used in Panhandle Florida’s home landscapes, there are several native species too.These fit nicely into landscapes but are found in the wild also.
Yaupon, sometimes called a yaupon holly, is a small evergreen tree or large shrub capable of reaching 25 feet in height. It has small gray-green leathery leaves densely arranged along smooth, stiff branches.
It will grow in soil with a pH in the acidic to mildly alkaline range. It is very tolerant of drought and salty air from the Gulf of Mexico, making it ideal for coastal north Florida landscapes.
In the wild, male plants are far more common and do not produce berries. The female plants are very heavy berry producers and may form dense thickets.
Dahoon Hollies have smooth, shiny dark green leaves two to three inches long with just a few serrations near the tip. This holly tree can reach a height of 20 to 30 feet with an eight-to-12-foot-wide limb spread.
Dahoons have male and female flowers on separate plants. Both trees need to be in close proximity to ensure production of the brilliant red berries in fall and winter.
First identified in 1927 growing near East Palatka, Florida, the Palatka Holly is thought to be a hybrid between two other Ilex species. The broad, rounded leaves have one spine at the tip and few, if any, along the blade edge.
A female Palatka Holly is usually heavily laden with bright red berries in fall and winter, especially toward the top of the tree. The tree is capable of growing to approximately 45 feet, having a moderately tight, pyramidal shape.
The local hollies are ready to serve the hungry wild residents or travelers migrating through the area. Keep in mind, if a flock arrives famished from flying, the berries can quickly disappear.
To learn more about these native trees in Tallahassee, Fort Braden and Leon County, contact the nearest UF/IFAS County Extension Office.. To read more stories by Les Harrison visit: Outdoorauthor.com and follow him on Facebook.
Les Harrison is a UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension Agent Emeritus.
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