Appearance
If not pruned, Ilex mitis can grow to a height of 20 meters or more. Its trunk is straight, grey or brown and usually spotted while it produces a dense, even canopy. Young growth and leaf-stalks tend to be purple or red. The simply shaped, pointed, shiny-green leaves have wavy margins that are sometimes slightly serrated. The tree can be identified by its purple or maroon leaf stalks and the leaves’ strongly impressed midribs.
The small, white, scented flowers appear in spring. Ilex mitis is dioecious, with separate male and female trees.
The bright red fruits ripen in autumn, creating a colourful display and attracting a variety of birds.
Read more about this topic: Watertree
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