Question: I'm having trouble distinguishing Ilex verticillata from I laevigata in winter. I find the fruit color somewhat subjective, depending on …
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Question
I'm having trouble distinguishing Ilex verticillata from I laevigata in winter. I find the fruit color somewhat subjective, depending on light conditions, and I'm not sure of what is meant by long and short shoots on the twigs/branches. I found this source comparing the two, and I wonder if you agree with it. https://archewild.com/how-to-identify-ilex-verticillata-and-ilex-laevigata/ I've been surveying the plants on Plumb Island, and most of them look like these photos. Thanks.
Answer
Dear chafeemonell, the identification is relatively straightforward with the fruits, but I can't tell you from the images you've provided. The sepals are persistent on the underside of the fruit. If you examine them with a hand lens, you can see the margins and identify if they are prominently ciliate (Ilex verticillata) or essentially lacking cilia (Ilex laevigata). This is listed in the Flora Novae Angliae manual and is described there in more detail. This should help you with your identification.
