Common Name:
MOUNTAIN HOLLY
Synonym:
Nemopanthus mucronatus
|
Coefficient of Conservatism:
7
Coefficient of Wetness:
-5
Wetness Index:
OBL
Physiognomy:
Nt Shrub
G. E. Crow
habit
Nemopanthus mucronatus of Michigan Flora.
Bogs, especially in a characteristic zone of high shrubs near the outer margin; swamps and thickets; swales, interdunal hollows, and moist places in forests; margins of lakes; moist coniferous forests on sandy banks facing Lake Superior.
This species has been shown to be a somewhat unusual species of Ilex (Powell et al. 2000), so it seems clear that the genus Nemopanthus must be abandoned. Rare individuals with toothed leaves (stunted, juvenile, or dense shade forms?) may, if vegetative, resemble I. verticillata but can be distinguished by the glabrous, purple petioles typical of I. mucronata. In I. verticillata, the petioles are green and often pubescent. Rare yellow-fruited forms occur.