Keyed Out #118 — Ilex × meserveae

Question 1

Tiny white flowers with four small {petals} crowd in little clusters tucked against the stem at the leaf bases.

Accepted Answer

holly family

Question 2

Leathery, glossy, undivided evergreen blades are set singly, one per node, along the stems.

Accepted Answer

Aquifoliaceae

Question 3

Glossy red berry-like fruits about 0.3 inch (8 mm) across ripen in October and hang on through winter, tempting birds.

Accepted Answer

fleshy fruit with a few bony stones inside

Question 4

A lone shrub may flower heavily every May and June yet never set a single berry.

Accepted Answer

male and female flowers on separate plants

Question 5

A dense, rounded, many-stemmed evergreen of only 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 m), never a tall single-trunked tree.

Accepted Answer

Ilex × meserveae

Question 6

Each stiff blade is only 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) long yet carries several sharp spines along its edge, unlike tiny, rounded, blunt-toothed leaves.

Accepted Answer

Ilex × meserveae