How to identify Peach-leaf holly (Ilex chinensis)

How to identify Peach-leaf holly (Ilex chinensis)

Peach-leaf holly is characterized as an evergreen tree, exhibiting a robust form with glossy, deep green leaves. The foliage offers a classic holly appearance, with margins that may be smooth or bear subtle spines. Dioecious in nature, it produces distinct male or female flowers on separate plants, a key aspect to note for fruiting purposes. The berries, resultant on female plants given male proximity, display a vibrant red. Typically, this species reaches heights of 15-25 feet (4.5-7.6 meters) with a spread nearly as wide, indicating its substantial presence in a landscape.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Peach-leaf holly

Dioecious nature with distinct male and female flowers on separate plants.

Vibrant red berries measuring 0.3-0.4 inches (7-10 mm) in diameter.

Alternate, leathery leaves with slightly serrated margins and pointed tips.

Branchlets are gray, terete, and angular with convex leaf scars.

Dark gray, smooth bark with a uniform texture and modest girth up to 8 inches (20 cm).

Detailed Traits of Peach-leaf holly

Leaf Features

The leaves of peach-leaf holly are alternate, simple, and typically measure between 2 to 4.2 inches (5 to 10.5 cm) in length. They emerge as a bronze hue, maturing to a vibrant green. The texture is leathery with a glossy surface. The margin is often slightly serrated. The distinct vein pattern reinforces the sturdy structure of the leaf, which tapers to a pointed tip, making it a notable feature for identification.

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

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Flower Features

Peach-leaf holly flowers are small, measuring about 0.2 to 0.3 inches (5 to 8 mm) in diameter. They feature a delicate purplish-pink to red hue and have a subtle fragrance. Each flower comprises four to five petals arranged symmetrically around the central reproductive parts. The blooming period typically occurs in late spring to early summer. These blossoms are essential for identification due to their distinct color and size, providing a vivid display during their peak season.

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Stem Features

The stem of peach-leaf holly features current year’s branchlets that are gray, terete (cylindrical), and thinly angular. Older branchlets are glabrous (smooth and hairless) with crescent-shaped, convex leaf scars. The lenticels, which are small and obscure, are scattered along the surface, adding texture. The stem's unique branching pattern and subtle transitions in texture and color are essential for accurate plant identification.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of peach-leaf holly is a distinctive, glossy bright red berry that typically measures about 0.3 to 0.4 inches (7 to 10 mm) in diameter. These spherical drupes possess a smooth, taut skin and persist through winter, providing visual interest and nourishment for wildlife. The fruit, which generally contains four seeds, is borne in small clusters and stands out against the foliage, making it conspicuous and attractive to birds. It is important to note that while visually appealing, the berries are considered inedible for humans due to their toxicity.

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Peach-leaf holly and Their Similar Plants

Common holly vs. Peach-leaf holly: What's The Difference?

Common holly (Ilex aquifolium) is an evergreen tree or shrub, recognized by the characteristic shape of its leaves and bright red berries. Its natural habitat is understories of oak and beech forests. Common holly is widely used in landscaping in temperate regions. Thick crown and prickly leaves make this plant excellent for hedges.

Japanese holly vs. Peach-leaf holly: What's The Difference?

Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) is an evergreen shrub native to China, Japan, and Korea. Japanese holly is a flowering plant, and its flowers transition into berries during summer. This plant is popularly planted as an ornamental shrub and can be grown as a Bonsai tree.

Chinese holly vs. Peach-leaf holly: What's The Difference?

Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta) is an evergreen shrub native to China and Korea. The chinese holly is often grown ornamentally in gardens and is considered easy to grow and maintain. The chinese holly bears fruits that are thought to be superior to other holly species.

American holly vs. Peach-leaf holly: What's The Difference?

Ilex opaca, commonly known as american holly, is a medium-sized evergreen tree, commonly found in southeastern areas of North America as an understory tree in humid forests. Its bright red fruits are poisonous to humans but are a very important source of food for numerous species of birds.

Yaupon vs. Peach-leaf holly: What's The Difference?

Yaupon is a small tree or large shrub native to the southeastern United States. It is known for its small, evergreen leaves and its small, white flowers that bloom in the spring. The tree produces small, black berries that are favored by a variety of birds. In the garden, yaupon is often used as a hedge or border plant due to its dense growth habit and its ability to tolerate trimming. In addition to its practical uses in the garden, yaupon has a long history of use by Native American tribes, who used the plant for medicinal purposes and as a source of caffeine. The leaves of the plant can be brewed into a tea that is similar in flavor to black tea.

Common winterberry vs. Peach-leaf holly: What's The Difference?

Common winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a berry species commonly grown in eastern gardens within the United States. Common winterberry is valued for its ability to grow in temperate climates and the colors it provides as an ornamental plant. The common winterberry is also called Michigan holly.

Inkberry vs. Peach-leaf holly: What's The Difference?

Inkberry (Ilex glabra) is a species native to the eastern United States. Inkberry is valued for its flavorful floral blossoms which are used as commercial ingredients in honey. Its leaves can be turned into a tea which is popular in East Asia.

Possumhaw vs. Peach-leaf holly: What's The Difference?

Possumhaw is a deciduous shrub that can grow to tree-like dimensions in the right conditions. The leaves are a dark green and the fruits are red, shiny, and round with a diameter of 4 to 8 mm. Only female plants produce these berries.

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Key Facts About Peach-leaf holly

Attributes of Peach-leaf holly

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

2 m to 25 m

Spread

6 m to 9 m

Leaf Color

Green

Brown

Flower Size

2 mm

Flower Color

Purple

Yellow

Pink

Green

Red

Lavender

Burgundy

Fruit Color

Red

Burgundy

Stem Color

Gray

Silver

Brown

Leaf type

Evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Peach-leaf holly

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Peach-leaf holly (Ilex chinensis)

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Distribution Map of Peach-leaf holly

Peach-leaf holly is indigenous to the temperate regions of Eastern Asia. Its presence spans across the eastern continent and includes areas with varying climates. As a cultivated species, peach-leaf holly has been introduced to several regions outside its native habitat. This reflects its adaptability and the extent of its cultivation, although specific non-native ranges are not detailed.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Peach-leaf holly How to Grow and Care for Peach-leaf holly