Ilex glabra aka Appalachian Tea

Ilex glabra, or inkberry, is an evergreen holly shrub. Its native range runs from Nova Scotia to Texas. It grows along the coastal plain, including much of Florida. Wild plants grow near swamps, bogs, and other wet places. Roots send up shoots that can form broad colonies. The shrub grows slowly and has several woody stems.

Garden plants often reach 4–8 feet [1.2–2.5 metres] tall. Their spread reaches about 8 feet [2.5 metres]. Some plants reach 10 feet [3 metres] in height. Young plants have a dense, rounded crown with upright branches. Older shrubs can lose leaves from their lower branches. The smooth bark has brown, gray, and green tones. Young twigs start green and turn gray with age. Glossy, dark green leaves grow in an alternate pattern. Each simple leaf lacks spines and has an oval shape. A few small teeth may mark its tip.

Small, pale flowers open from May to June. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Both sexes must be present for females to set fruit. Bees and other insects visit the blooms for nectar. Inkberry also hosts the larvae of Henry's elfin butterfly. Its small black drupes ripen in September. They can stay on the shrub through winter. Some sources report fruit lasting into the next spring. Birds and small mammals eat the fruit. The leaves and branches also give wildlife food and shelter.

Grow inkberry in sun or part shade with ample moisture. It suits moist soil and can cope with wet sites. It grows in sand, loam, or clay with added humus. Acid soil works best; alkaline soil can cause yellow leaves. Sources give USDA zones 4–9 and the UK rating H7. Harsh winter exposure can burn the leaves. Use it for hedges, screens, borders, or group plantings. It also suits rain gardens and sites near ponds. Most plants need little pruning; trim hedges in early spring.

Leaf spot, leaf blight, and root rot can affect inkberry. Honey fungus may also occur. Pests include leaf miners, scale insects, aphids, and mites. Dry conditions can bring mite trouble. The shrub burns readily, so keep it outside home fire-safety zones. People have brewed dried, roasted leaves as a tea substitute. PFAF reports that these leaves contain caffeine. Do not eat the fruit. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea in people. RHS also warns that the fruit can harm pets.