Leaf and bark type: It has smooth, light gray bark. The leaves are alternate and ovate with a coarsley serrate margin. They are about 1.5cm long.
Where does it grow and in what conditions? It grows on the very East coast and mostly in the Southern coast, reaching from Florida to the Southeast side of Texas. It does well in coastal areas with sandy-well-drained soils. It can be found in sandy dunes or in dry soils.
Pollinators and seed dispersal: The pollinators include the birds and the wind. Birds and other animal will ingest the berries and then pass through the seeds.
Fruit:
The fruit is a small, round, red drupe. It contians seeds in the four pits which are dispersed by birds. The fruit is a very important food for many birds during the winter and even deer and racoons. The fruits are known for causing vomiting amoung humans, hence the name vomitoria.
Uses:
Native Americans used the leaves as a tea for ceremonial male-purification purposes only. The tea would make them vomit. However, under more research, the properties of the caffiene had something to do with the vomiting, and is now controlled as Yaupon teas are now offered. The Yaupon holly is also used for ornamental purposes.
