The Dahoon Holly (Ilex cassine) is native to the southern US and grows to around 30 ft in height. It is a common inhabitant of the transition areas between flatwoods and hammocks. The dark green leaves do not have the spines that are associated with holly but may have some small serrations at the tips of young leaves. The leaves of Dahoon contain stimulents, including caffine, that were used in a drink called cassine by Native Americans. The red berries persist through the winter and are usually not eaten by wildlife until late in the winter.
The bark of the Dahoon Holly is host for several lichen species. Lichens are a combination of at least two organisms, a fungus that provides structure and some nutrients for an algae and/or cyanobacteria that uses those nutrients and sunlight to make sugar. The Bark Rash Lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) looks like bright red blotches and is present on many Dahoon Hollys and some Myrsine (that we will see later). Script lichen (Graphis scripta) is white with small marks of black is also common and easy to identify. Several other types of green lichen seen on other trees will also grow on Dahoon Holly. Lichens use the tree bark only as a place to attach and not to interact or harm the tree.
