 ilex verticillata, the winterberry, is a species of holly native to eastern north america in the united states and southeast canada, from newfoundland west to ontario and minnesota, and south to alabama.usda . accessed 11.1.2011germplasm resources information network: ilex verticillata other names that have been used include black alder winterberry, brook alder, canada holly ,nova scotia wild flora coralberry, deciduous holly, deciduous winterberry, false alder, fever bush, inkberry, michigan holly, possumhaw, swamp holly, virginian winterberry, or winterberry holly. the species occurs particularly in wetland habitats, but also on dry sand dunes and grassland. the berries are an important food resource for numerous species of birds.new york metropolitan flora: ilex verticillata ==description== ilex verticillata is a shrub growing to  tall. it is one of a number of hollies which are deciduous, losing their leaves in the fall. in wet sites, it will spread to form a dense thicket, while in dry soil it remains a tight shrub. the leaves are glossy green, 3.5â9&nbsp;cm long, 1.5â3.5&nbsp;cm broad, with a serrated margin and an acute apex. the flowers are small, 5&nbsp;mm diameter, with five to eight white petals. the fruit is a globose red drupe 6â8&nbsp;mm diameter, which often persists on the branches long into the winter, giving the plant its english name. like most hollies, it is dioecious, with separate male and female plants; the proximity of at least one male plant is required to pollenize the females in order to bear fruit.digital flora of newfoundland and labrador: aquifoliaceae: holly familybioimages: ilex verticillata ==cultivation and uses== [[file:ilex-verticillata-acadia.jpg|thumb|250px|american winterberry - foliage and unripe fruit in
Bird_food_plants Flora_of_Alabama Flora_of_Eastern_Canada Flora_of_New_Jersey Flora_of_the_Great_Lakes_region_(North_America) Flora_of_the_North-Central_United_States Flora_of_the_Northeastern_United_States Flora_of_the_Southeastern_United_States Garden_plants_of_North_America Ilex Plants_used_in_traditional_Native_American_medicine Shrubs Trees_of_Canada Trees_of_Delaware Trees_of_the_United_States