Dahoon holly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dahoon holly |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ilex
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| Species: |
cassine
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| Natural range in United States | |
The Ilex cassine, also known as dahoon holly or cassena, is a type of holly plant. It grows naturally along the southeastern coast of North America. You can find it in the United States from Virginia all the way to southeast Texas. It also grows in Mexico in Veracruz and in the Caribbean on islands like the Bahamas, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. The name cassena comes from the Timucua language, which was spoken by Native Americans.
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What Does Dahoon Holly Look Like?
The dahoon holly can be a large shrub or a small tree. It can grow to be about 10 to 13 meters (33 to 43 feet) tall. Its leaves stay green all year round, which means they are evergreen. They are usually 6 to 15 centimeters (2.4 to 5.9 inches) long and 2 to 4 centimeters (0.8 to 1.6 inches) wide. The leaves are shiny and dark green, with smooth edges or sometimes a few small spines near the tip.
The flowers of the dahoon holly are white and have four petals. The fruit is a small, red, round berry, about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 inches) across. Each berry contains four seeds.
Male and Female Plants
Like some other hollies, the dahoon holly has separate male and female plants. This means that only the female plants produce the bright red berries. For the female plants to grow berries, a male plant must be nearby. Bees then help to carry pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers, allowing the berries to form.
Different Types of Dahoon Holly
There are a few different types, or varieties, of Ilex cassine:
- Ilex cassine var. cassine (found in the United States and Caribbean)
- Ilex cassine var. angustifolia (found in the United States)
- Ilex cassine var. mexicana (found in Mexico)
Growing Dahoon Holly
People often grow Ilex cassine in warmer places as an ornamental plant. This means it's grown because it looks nice, especially with its bright red berries contrasting against the shiny green leaves. It can grow quite tall, sometimes up to 30 feet. While it originally grew mostly near the coast, people have planted it in more areas, so its growing range has expanded.
A Special Drink from the Leaves
The leaves of Ilex cassine contain small amounts of natural stimulants like caffeine. Another plant, Ilex vomitoria, which is a close relative, also has these stimulants, but in larger amounts.
Native Americans historically used the leaves of certain holly plants to make a special ceremonial drink called cassena, also known as the "Black Drink." While both Ilex cassine and Ilex vomitoria leaves could be used, Ilex vomitoria was likely the main ingredient because it had more caffeine. The "Black Drink" was an important part of some Native American ceremonies.
