Inkberry is medium-sized evergreen shrub, common in the Coastal Plain, rare in the Piedmont of North Carolina. The shrub is named for its drupes (commonly called berries), which are black as ink when fully ripe.

Scotland Co., NC 11/1/08.

Scotland Co., NC 11/1/08.

The thick, evergreen leaves are very smooth. Large Gallberry (I. coriacea) is similar, but has broader leaves and slightly broader and flatter fruits.

Scotland Co., NC 6/6/03.

A male shrub flowering.

Green Swamp, Brunswick Co., NC 5/15/04.

Flower detail of same plant. These flowers are 6-parted; Inkberry flowers range from 5-7 parts.

Green Swamp, Brunswick Co., NC 5/15/04.

Male flowers.

Dare Co., NC 6/1/07.

Male flowers.

Dare Co., NC 6/1/07.

Ripening drupes start out as pale green.

Carteret Co., NC 8/27/06.

The drupes turn from reddish to black as they ripen.

Columbus Co., NC 9/28/2013.

Columbus Co., NC 9/28/2013.

Columbus Co., NC 9/28/2013.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

The drupes may persist through the winter into the next spring.

Pender Co., NC 4/23/06.