A medium-sized deciduous shrub of wetlands that occurs in moist areas throughout North Carolina. Winterberry is similar to Mountain Holly (I. montana) but the leaves are a little smaller, narrower, and more rugose (the veins are more indented). The uncommon Smooth Winterberry (I. laevigata) of the Coastal Plain is even more similar, but has glabrous (smooth), acute sepals versus ciliate, obtuse sepals in I. verticillata.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/23/06.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/23/06.

The common name refers to the bright red fruits that last through the winter.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/27/03.

The leaves are white-hairy beneath.

These are staminate (male) flowers.

Alleghany Co., NC 7/2/06.

Alleghany Co., NC 7/3/05.

Pistillate (female) flowers.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/31/04.

Staminate flowers.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/31/04.

Bark of a small shrub.

Alleghany Co., NC 7/2/06.

Bark of a larger shrub.

Alleghany Co., NC 7/2/06.