Vascular Plants of North Carolina
Section: Common Name: Scientific Name: Family:
Account for Christmasberry - Crossopetalum ilicifolium   (Poiret) Kuntze
Members of Celastraceae:
Only member of Crossopetalum in NC.
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Section 6 » Order Celastrales » Family Celastraceae
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Author(Poiret) Kuntze
DistributionReported by Hayes in 1946 from an agricultural experiment station in Washington County. According to Weakley (2018), it was probably introduced via cattle.

Native of the West Indies and southernmost FL.
AbundanceVery rare and probably only a waif in NC -- surely too cold here in winter to survive.
HabitatDisturbed areas.
PhenologyNot reported.
IdentificationThis is a small woody shrub with prostrate to ascending branches. The numerous, very small leaves are elliptical and with spines on margins, resembling holly leaves. Bright red berries grows along the stems.
Taxonomic Comments
Other Common Name(s)
State RankSE
Global RankG3
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USACE-agcpFACW link
USACE-emp
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AllOther_non_natural