Ilex pedunculosa var. pedunculosa (longstalk holly, "Soyogo")

Japanese name: ソヨゴ （冬青）
Scientific name: Ilex pedunculosa var. pedunculosa

[Overview]
An evergreen tree 3–7 m tall that grows in dry forests; some are said to reach 10 m.
Young branches are angular.
The leaves are simple and alternate, elliptic, 4–8 cm long and 2–3.5 cm wide, and hard in texture.
The leaf margin is entire, but some leaves on young branches have teeth.
The petiole is 1–1.5 cm long.
The plant is dioecious.
Both male and female plants bear flowers in the leaf axils of the current year's branches.
Male flowers grow in groups of 3–8, and female flowers singly; they are small, white, and 4–5-petaled.
The flower stalk is 2.5–4 cm long.
The fruit is spherical, 8 mm in diameter, hangs down, and ripens red.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
Growing from seed is also possible, but plants raised from seed will turn out to be both male and female.
To sow, harvest ripe fruit, wash off the pulp, bury the seeds in moistened vermiculite or similar so they do not dry out, and store them in a cool, dark place. Take them out the following March–April and wash them thoroughly again before sowing.
It is suited to warm regions south of Kanto.
It prefers sun to partial shade and well-drained, fertile soil.
Fruit set is better in good sunlight, but it dislikes places with strong afternoon sun.
For potted plants and plants in the ground for less than 2 years, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for established plants in the ground, watering is not particularly necessary.
For fertilizer, dig holes in several places around the plant and bury organic fertilizer in winter.
Pests and diseases include sooty mold and scale insects.

[Notes]
The Japanese name derives from the leaves rustling in the wind and making a faint sound.

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