Species › Plants › Winterberry

Winterberry

Ilex verticillata

CommonPlant
Illustration of Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Winterberry is a native deciduous holly of wetlands and swamp edges, producing brilliant masses of red berries that cover the bare branches in winter and provide some of the most dazzling color in the winter landscape. Cedar waxwings, robins, and bluebirds descend on the berries in late winter when other food is scarce. It is an outstanding wildlife plant.

Habitat
Wetland margins, swamp edges, and moist forests in eastern North America
Diet
Berries critical winter food for cedar waxwings, robins, bluebirds, and hermit thrush
How common
Common

Best time to see a Winterberry

The best time to see a Winterberry is September–November, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 18,085 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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