| Possumhaw, or Deciduous Holly, is a fairly common small understory tree, most often found in bottomlands. The small leaves, clustered on short spurs, have small rounded teeth and are broader past the middle. Orange Co., NC 6/3/2012.
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| Clusters of small white flowers appear in mid-spring. Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.
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| Staminate (male) flowers. Possumhaw is dioecious — flowers on an individual tree are either male or female. Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.
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| Pistillate (female) flowers. Flowers and leaves are clustered on short spur branches. Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.
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| Staminate flowers. Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.
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| Staminate flowers. Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.
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| Staminate flowers. Stanly Co., NC 4/17/2011.
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| Staminate flowers. Stanly Co., NC 4/17/2011.
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| Orange Co., NC 11/4/2012.
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| Orange Co., NC 11/4/2012.
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| Orange Co., NC 11/4/2012.
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| Leaves are usually obovate (egg-shaped, widest above the middle) to spathulate (spoon-shaped) and crenate (with blunt teeth).
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| The leaves and fruits are usually clustered on short spur branches. Granville Co., NC 6/4/05.
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| The bright red drupes on female plants last through the winter. Durham Co., NC 12/4/05.
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| The bark has warty lenticels.
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| Orange Co., NC 11/4/2012.
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| Stanly Co., NC 4/17/2011.
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| Orange Co., NC 6/3/2012.
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More information:
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
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