{"assessment":{"band":"Keystone","factor_identity":{"basis":"approved shared identity","growth_habit_source":"USDA PLANTS","name_used":"Ilex ambigua"},"factor_scopes":{"bees":"Southeastern North America","birds":"North America","caterpillars":"Host genera of native Lepidoptera with established Alabama range; association and range overlap, not confirmed local feeding.","specialists":"Eastern North America","structure":"USDA species growth habit where matched; otherwise sourced atlas growth habit"},"factors":{"applied_insect_credit":0,"baseline_score":97,"composite":0.947,"insect_support":{"credit":0,"groups":{"ants":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Ants","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"beetles":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Beetles","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"flies":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Flies","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"moths_butterflies":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Adult butterflies / moths","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"other_hymenoptera":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Other wasps","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"other_insects":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Other insects","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"}},"interpretation":"One provisional point per additional documented insect group, capped at five. Flower visits are a resource-use proxy, not confirmed feeding or pollination. Missing evidence is unknown. Study volume and repeated records earn no extra credit.","maximum_credit":5,"version":"insect-support-1"},"pct":{"bees":0.9547146401985112,"birds":0.9292803970223326,"caterpillars":0.9373449131513648,"specialists":0.9429280397022333,"structure":1},"rank_pct":0.98,"raw":{"bees":35,"birds":11,"caterpillars":50,"genus_used":null,"specialists":3,"structure":["Shrub","Tree"]}},"fit_score":null,"native_basis":"native_supported","rarity_adjustment":0,"rarity_policy":"Conservation status is displayed separately and never changes ecological scores, including when unranked.","reason":"Calculated with the shared rules using Alabama host-range and shared ecological evidence.","reference":"NC native reference cohort, method 0.6.4; not a Alabama percentile","score":97,"scoring_inputs":{"harm_penalty":0,"invasive":false,"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"state_rank":"SNR"},"source_ids":["lep_al","globi","bigbee","avian","usdahabit","robertson","antseed"],"status":"scored_provisional","version":"shared-0.6.5"},"condition_evidence":{"light":{"broad_range_note":{"review_status":"source_recorded","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","text":"Selected source categories span deep shade to full sun; broad tolerance is source-recorded, not independently verified."},"evidence_id":"fact:05ce50f04fdc78c9b3a532b4b8579d0f2116b8fc66b1f2b1a1d72bd340bc6e60","levels":[0,1,2,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_light_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:5f0aa01b1f14ff24edea2c2a634fe75e6a1bd2c6d2b922fa895948fe63861fe9","levels":[0,3],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[0,3],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"evidence":{"fit_score":null,"growth_habit":["Shrub","Tree"],"invasive_status":{"status":"unresolved"},"native_status":{"status":"native_supported"},"occurrence":{"county_fips":["01001","01003","01005","01007","01009","01013","01015","01019","01021","01023","01025","01029","01035","01037","01039","01041","01043","01047","01049","01053","01055","01057","01061","01065","01067","01069","01071","01075","01081","01085","01089","01093","01095","01097","01101","01105","01107","01109","01115","01125","01131"],"meaning":"Recorded occurrence; not a county native-range assertion"},"quercus_score":null,"regional":{"county_fips":["01001","01003","01005","01007","01009","01013","01015","01019","01021","01023","01025","01029","01035","01037","01039","01041","01043","01047","01049","01053","01055","01057","01061","01065","01067","01069","01071","01075","01081","01085","01089","01093","01095","01097","01101","01105","01107","01109","01115","01125","01131"],"growth_habit":null,"growth_habit_source":null,"invasive":null,"invasive_evidence":[],"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"native_basis":"state_source","native_decided_by":"al_atlas","native_evidence":[{"claim":"native","flag":"Y","matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","scope":"AL","source":"al_atlas","url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/420"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Ilex ambigua var. ambigua and I. ambigua var. montana","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"basis":"native range text in the regional flora","claim":"native","scope":"NC-SC-GA","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"Ne. North Carolina, se. Tennessee, n. Arkansas, and se. Oklahoma south to c. peninsular Florida, s. Mississippi, and se. Texas; disjunct in the Sierra Madre Oriental and Chiapas, Mexico.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide"},{"basis":"native range text names Tennessee","claim":"native","scope":"TN","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"Ne. North Carolina, se. Tennessee, n. Arkansas, and se. Oklahoma south to c. peninsular Florida, s. Mississippi, and se. Texas; disjunct in the Sierra Madre Oriental and Chiapas, Mexico.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide"},{"basis":"native range text in the regional flora","claim":"native","scope":"AL-MS-TN","source":"floraquest_south_central","text":"Ne. North Carolina, se. Tennessee, n. Arkansas, and se. Oklahoma south to c. peninsular Florida, s. Mississippi, and se. Texas; disjunct in the Sierra Madre Oriental and Chiapas, Mexico.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.midsouthfieldguide"},{"basis":"NatureServe subnational native or exotic flag for this state","claim":"native","matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","scope":"AL","source":"natureserve_explorer","srank":"SNR","url":"https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.158416/Ilex_ambigua"}],"native_explanation":"Alabama Plant Atlas (published flora, state claim) gives the value, over a broader claim from a higher tier. Speaks for its own area (GA-NC-SC, NC, TN), not this state: FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Weakley), Vascular Plants of North Carolina (NC Natural Heritage Program).","native_provenance":{"flags":["over_higher_tier"],"source":"al_atlas","specificity":"state","tier":"published_flora"},"native_status":"native_supported","package_native_status":"native_supported","source_ids":["al_atlas:AL:420"],"source_name":"Ilex ambigua","source_refs":["al_atlas","gbif_specimens","natureserve_explorer"],"source_url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/420","state_rank":"SNR"},"source_refs":["al_atlas","gbif_specimens","natureserve_explorer"],"source_url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/420","state_rank":{"value":"SNR"}},"fit_inputs":{"light":[0,4],"moisture":[0,3],"ph":null},"fit_provenance":{"counties":"USDA PLANTS: recorded in 7 NC counties","light":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"fit_record":{"band":"Keystone","condition_evidence":{"light":{"broad_range_note":{"review_status":"source_recorded","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","text":"Selected source categories span deep shade to full sun; broad tolerance is source-recorded, not independently verified."},"evidence_id":"fact:05ce50f04fdc78c9b3a532b4b8579d0f2116b8fc66b1f2b1a1d72bd340bc6e60","levels":[0,1,2,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_light_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:5f0aa01b1f14ff24edea2c2a634fe75e6a1bd2c6d2b922fa895948fe63861fe9","levels":[0,3],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[0,3],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"county_fips":["01001","01003","01005","01007","01009","01013","01015","01019","01021","01023","01025","01029","01035","01037","01039","01041","01043","01047","01049","01053","01055","01057","01061","01065","01067","01069","01071","01075","01081","01085","01089","01093","01095","01097","01101","01105","01107","01109","01115","01125","01131","12001","12005","12009","12013","12015","12017","12019","12023","12027","12031","12033","12035","12037","12039","12041","12045","12047","12049","12053","12055","12057","12059","12061","12063","12067","12069","12071","12073","12075","12077","12079","12081","12083","12085","12089","12091","12095","12097","12101","12103","12105","12107","12109","12113","12115","12117","12119","12121","12123","12127","12129","12131","12133","13007","13017","13021","13047","13051","13067","13071","13073","13087","13107","13111","13115","13121","13123","13137","13183","13185","13187","13189","13191","13241","13243","13245","13253","13271","13275","13281","13311","13319","21013","21095","21125","21127","21151","37013","37019","37051","37103","37107","37155","37191","45003","45005","45011","45013","45019","45025","45029","45031","45035","45037","45041","45043","45045","45053","45073","45077","45079","45085","47013","47017","47019","47023","47035","47051","47059","47065","47069","47073","47105","47115","47139","47141","47145","47151","47153","47155","47157","47163","47171","47175","47179"],"fit_inputs":{"light":[0,4],"moisture":[0,3],"ph":null},"fit_note":"Shared sunlight, moisture and pH calculation; county geography is an additional layer. Missing source traits remain unknown.","fit_provenance":{"counties":"USDA PLANTS: recorded in 7 NC counties","light":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed","suggestions_excluded":false},"invasive_rank":false,"native_eligible":true,"quercus_score":97,"state":"AL"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed","suggestions_excluded":false},"growing_observations":{"botanical_review_primary_flower_color":{"matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","review_decision":{"reason":"Single consistent flower-color category across the main reference sources; normalization of existing observations, not a fresh anatomical verification.","sources":["ilex-ambigua--wildflower_center"],"status":"source_recorded","value":"white"},"review_note":"Single consistent flower-color category across the main reference sources; normalization of existing observations, not a fresh anatomical verification.","review_sources":[{"approved_for_correction":true,"evidence_kind":"existing_structured_source_observation","excerpt":"{\"flower_color\": [\"White\"]}","retrieved":"2026-10-03T21:49:54.256537+00:00","sha256":"b464369ce106df2defa1a2e80de840e386be84fcac82a4f7f48f3af9aa2dadab","source_record_id":null,"title":"Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center","url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ILAM"}],"review_status":"source_recorded","source_label":"Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ILAM","values":{"primary_flower_color":"white"}},"floraquest_carolinas_georgia":{"matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","retrieved":"2026-10-04T13:31:16.252589+00:00","scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"scope_note":"Original regional ecological and identification evidence; no location-specific gardening adjustments.","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_name":"Ilex ambigua","source_record_id":5651,"source_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","trait_evidence":[{"field":"habitat_description","source_column":"HabitatText","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Sandy upland forests, dry slope forests, rarely in pocosin ecotones in the fall-line sandhills region."},{"field":"geographic_range_description","source_column":"Description","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Ne. North Carolina, se. Tennessee, n. Arkansas, and se. Oklahoma south to c. peninsular Florida, s. Mississippi, and se. Texas; disjunct in the Sierra Madre Oriental and Chiapas, Mexico."},{"field":"phenology_source_text","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Apr-Jun; Aug-Sep."},{"field":"taxonomic_synonymy","source_column":"Synonymy","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"Organism","value":"[= Ar, Fl7, K4, NS, Ok, POWO, Clark (2023), Krakow (1989); = Ilex ambigua (Michx.) Torr. var. ambigua — FNA18, RAB, Tn, W, Godfrey (1988); > Ilex ambigua (Michx.) Torr. — Chap3, S, S13, Tx; > Ilex ambigua (Michx.) Torr. var. ambigua — WH3; > Ilex ambigua (Michx.) Torr. var. monticola (A.Gray) Wunderlin & Poppleton — WH3, Godfrey (1988), misapplied; > Ilex beadlei W.W. Ashe — Pa, S, S13; > Ilex beadlei W.W. Ashe var. beadlei ; > Ilex beadlei W.W. Ashe var. laevis W.W. Ashe; > Ilex buswellii Small — S; > Ilex caroliniana Trel. ex Small — S13; > Ilex mollis A. Gray — Chap3; > Ilex montana Torr. & A.Gray ex A.Gray, misapplied; > Ilex montana Torr. & A.Gray ex A.Gray var. beadlei (Ashe) Fernald — G; > Ilex montana Torr. & A.Gray ex A.Gray var. mollis (A.Gray) Britton — C, F, Tx]"},{"field":"botanical_comments","source_column":"Comments","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"Organism","value":"The various taxa that have been distinguished in this complex may have some merit, though a detailed study by Krakow (1989) did not clearly support their recognition. Ilex buswellii Small, strictly of xeric habitats (longleaf pine sandhills, Florida scrub) of the Coastal Plain from se. NC southward, has the larger leaves on the plant 2-3.5 (-4) cm long and 0.7-1.7 (-2.5) cm wide. Ilex ambigua ( sensu stricto ) is distributed in the Coastal Plain, Piedmont and low Mountains, and has the larger leaves on a plant 3-9 (-10.5) cm long and 1.7-6 cm wide. Ilex beadlei of the low Mountains and Piedmont has the larger leaves on a plant 7-9 (-10.5) cm long and 2-6 cm wide."},{"field":"heliophily_index","source_column":"HIndex","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"Organism","value":5},{"field":"regional_wetland_indicators","source_column":"WetlandStatus1..5","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"Organism","value":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus1","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus2","value":"FAC"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus4","value":"FACU"}]},{"field":"wetland_source_note","source_column":"WetlandNote","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"Organism","value":"name change"},{"field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_column":"Attr2","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Dry","Moist"]},{"field":"habitat_light_categories","source_column":"Attr3","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Partial shade","Full shade","Full sun"]},{"field":"graphic_key_source_attributes","source_column":"Attr0..25","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":{"Attr0":"gr14","Attr1":"nc_cp,nc_mt,nc_pd,sc_cp,sc_mt,sc_pd,ga_cp,ga_mt,ga_pd,","Attr11":"pin","Attr12":"unl","Attr13":"nt,to","Attr14":"Bl14,Bl24,Bl5,Bl9","Attr15":"lh,wh","Attr16":"n","Attr17":"rad","Attr18":"3,4,5","Attr19":"wh","Attr2":"Dry,Moist","Attr20":"y","Attr21":"F2","Attr3":"Part,Shade,Sun","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_cp:y,native_nc_mt:y,native_nc_pd:y,native_sc_cp:y,native_sc_mt:y,native_sc_pd:y,native_ga_cp:y,native_ga_mt:y,native_ga_pd:y,","Attr4":" 3-7","Attr5":"s,t","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"n","Attr8":"alt","Attr9":"sim"}},{"field":"fruit_season_begin","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"Organism","value":"August"},{"field":"fruit_season_end","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"Organism","value":"September"},{"field":"bloom_season","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5651,"source_table":"Organism","value":"April to June"}],"values":{"bloom_season":"April to June","botanical_comments":"The various taxa that have been distinguished in this complex may have some merit, though a detailed study by Krakow (1989) did not clearly support their recognition. Ilex buswellii Small, strictly of xeric habitats (longleaf pine sandhills, Florida scrub) of the Coastal Plain from se. NC southward, has the larger leaves on the plant 2-3.5 (-4) cm long and 0.7-1.7 (-2.5) cm wide. Ilex ambigua ( sensu stricto ) is distributed in the Coastal Plain, Piedmont and low Mountains, and has the larger leaves on a plant 3-9 (-10.5) cm long and 1.7-6 cm wide. Ilex beadlei of the low Mountains and Piedmont has the larger leaves on a plant 7-9 (-10.5) cm long and 2-6 cm wide.","fruit_season_begin":"August","fruit_season_end":"September","geographic_range_description":"Ne. North Carolina, se. Tennessee, n. Arkansas, and se. Oklahoma south to c. peninsular Florida, s. Mississippi, and se. Texas; disjunct in the Sierra Madre Oriental and Chiapas, Mexico.","graphic_key_source_attributes":{"Attr0":"gr14","Attr1":"nc_cp,nc_mt,nc_pd,sc_cp,sc_mt,sc_pd,ga_cp,ga_mt,ga_pd,","Attr11":"pin","Attr12":"unl","Attr13":"nt,to","Attr14":"Bl14,Bl24,Bl5,Bl9","Attr15":"lh,wh","Attr16":"n","Attr17":"rad","Attr18":"3,4,5","Attr19":"wh","Attr2":"Dry,Moist","Attr20":"y","Attr21":"F2","Attr3":"Part,Shade,Sun","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_cp:y,native_nc_mt:y,native_nc_pd:y,native_sc_cp:y,native_sc_mt:y,native_sc_pd:y,native_ga_cp:y,native_ga_mt:y,native_ga_pd:y,","Attr4":" 3-7","Attr5":"s,t","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"n","Attr8":"alt","Attr9":"sim"},"habitat_description":"Sandy upland forests, dry slope forests, rarely in pocosin ecotones in the fall-line sandhills region.","habitat_light_categories":["Partial shade","Full shade","Full sun"],"habitat_moisture_categories":["Dry","Moist"],"heliophily_index":5,"phenology_source_text":"Apr-Jun; Aug-Sep.","regional_wetland_indicators":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus1","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus2","value":"FAC"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus4","value":"FACU"}],"taxonomic_synonymy":"[= Ar, Fl7, K4, NS, Ok, POWO, Clark (2023), Krakow (1989); = Ilex ambigua (Michx.) Torr. var. ambigua — FNA18, RAB, Tn, W, Godfrey (1988); > Ilex ambigua (Michx.) Torr. — Chap3, S, S13, Tx; > Ilex ambigua (Michx.) Torr. var. ambigua — WH3; > Ilex ambigua (Michx.) Torr. var. monticola (A.Gray) Wunderlin & Poppleton — WH3, Godfrey (1988), misapplied; > Ilex beadlei W.W. Ashe — Pa, S, S13; > Ilex beadlei W.W. Ashe var. beadlei ; > Ilex beadlei W.W. Ashe var. laevis W.W. Ashe; > Ilex buswellii Small — S; > Ilex caroliniana Trel. ex Small — S13; > Ilex mollis A. Gray — Chap3; > Ilex montana Torr. & A.Gray ex A.Gray, misapplied; > Ilex montana Torr. & A.Gray ex A.Gray var. beadlei (Ashe) Fernald — G; > Ilex montana Torr. & A.Gray ex A.Gray var. mollis (A.Gray) Britton — C, F, Tx]","wetland_source_note":"name change"}},"forest_service":{"identity_basis":"Exact existing catalog or state-source name","matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","retrieved":"2026-10-01T13:42:51.149878+00:00","scope":"Source botanical description; original units and scope retained","scoring_allowed":false,"source_label":"Fire Effects Information System: Ilex ambigua","source_sha256":"87aab694874425c3b3c2cfe547609c397df0a252559b4a7e7bc05daebe3122c4","source_url":"https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/ileamb","trait_evidence":[{"catalog_id":"nc:ilex-ambigua","field":"height_description","height_description":"to 18 feet (6 m) tall","life_stage":"general_botanical_description","matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","paragraph_sha256":"0007d8a2d75cfddf7bf668a283e5c3339b5a4573d0aab240f06bcd07521d8be5","retrieved":"2026-10-01T13:42:51.149878+00:00","review_status":"reviewed","source_quote":"Carolina holly is a native, deciduous or nearly evergreen, large shrub or small tree to 18 feet (6 m) tall [7,11]. The branches are distributed irregularly, forming a rounded crown. The branches range from glabrous to densely pubescent. The bark is dark brown to black, lustrous, smooth, and flaking on old stems [24]. The leaves are 1.6 to 7.1 inches (4-18 cm) long and 0.59 to 2.7 inches (1.5-7 cm) wide. The fruit is a red, translucent, globose drupe 0.2 to 0.36 inch (5-9 mm) in diameter [17]. The sessile fruits are distributed along the length of the branches [11].","source_section":"Ilex ambigua, Carolina holly / Botanical Description","source_sha256":"87aab694874425c3b3c2cfe547609c397df0a252559b4a7e7bc05daebe3122c4","source_title":"Fire Effects Information System: Ilex ambigua","source_url":"https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/ileamb"}],"values":{"height_description":"to 18 feet (6 m) tall"}},"wildflower_center":{"matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","retrieved":"2026-10-03T21:49:54.256537+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Source-reported species characteristics; not a location-specific estimate.","source_label":"Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center","source_sha256":"b464369ce106df2defa1a2e80de840e386be84fcac82a4f7f48f3af9aa2dadab","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ILAM","trait_evidence":[{"expected_source_name":"Ilex ambigua","field":"flower_color","original_field":"flower_color","record_id":"trait:11206d7f44360d16382d7e3caf7c3ccf655e1de0edf92baa6fa180305a7e791f","retrieved_at":"2026-10-03T21:49:54.256537+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Ilex ambigua","source_sha256":"b464369ce106df2defa1a2e80de840e386be84fcac82a4f7f48f3af9aa2dadab","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ILAM","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:fb347e07-86ef-515b-a4ee-d3921d55f79a","value":["White"]},{"expected_source_name":"Ilex ambigua","field":"height_description","original_field":"height","record_id":"trait:5791cc55f7d52d702e1058fb33746d8456fec23304592c92b849e46eddb81958","retrieved_at":"2026-10-03T21:49:54.256537+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Ilex ambigua","source_sha256":"b464369ce106df2defa1a2e80de840e386be84fcac82a4f7f48f3af9aa2dadab","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ILAM","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:fb347e07-86ef-515b-a4ee-d3921d55f79a","value":{"approximate":true,"kind":"upper_bound","max":20,"unit":"feet"}},{"expected_source_name":"Ilex ambigua","field":"life_cycle","original_field":"life_cycle","record_id":"trait:c451406e8669cebbbec615b70e84f5008daac2c7ed362a8aba9cc2f4ac674aef","retrieved_at":"2026-10-03T21:49:54.256537+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Ilex ambigua","source_sha256":"b464369ce106df2defa1a2e80de840e386be84fcac82a4f7f48f3af9aa2dadab","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ILAM","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:fb347e07-86ef-515b-a4ee-d3921d55f79a","value":["Perennial"]},{"expected_source_name":"Ilex ambigua","field":"leaf_habit","original_field":"leaf_habit","record_id":"trait:ff7ca70f37201bd0145ebfdf8acfe227c260077a86618e3a52af311a92eec640","retrieved_at":"2026-10-03T21:49:54.256537+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Ilex ambigua","source_sha256":"b464369ce106df2defa1a2e80de840e386be84fcac82a4f7f48f3af9aa2dadab","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ILAM","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:fb347e07-86ef-515b-a4ee-d3921d55f79a","value":["Deciduous"]}],"values":{"flower_color":["White"],"height_description":"Up to about 20 feet","leaf_habit":["Deciduous"],"life_cycle":["Perennial"]}}},"light_range":["deep shade","full sun"],"light_source":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","native_synthesis":{"claims":[{"claim":"native","flag":"Y","matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","scope":"AL","source":"al_atlas","url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/420"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Ilex ambigua var. ambigua and I. ambigua var. montana","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"basis":"native range text in the regional flora","claim":"native","scope":"NC-SC-GA","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"Ne. North Carolina, se. Tennessee, n. Arkansas, and se. Oklahoma south to c. peninsular Florida, s. Mississippi, and se. Texas; disjunct in the Sierra Madre Oriental and Chiapas, Mexico.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide"},{"basis":"native range text names Tennessee","claim":"native","scope":"TN","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"Ne. North Carolina, se. Tennessee, n. Arkansas, and se. Oklahoma south to c. peninsular Florida, s. Mississippi, and se. Texas; disjunct in the Sierra Madre Oriental and Chiapas, Mexico.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide"},{"basis":"native range text in the regional flora","claim":"native","scope":"AL-MS-TN","source":"floraquest_south_central","text":"Ne. North Carolina, se. Tennessee, n. Arkansas, and se. Oklahoma south to c. peninsular Florida, s. Mississippi, and se. Texas; disjunct in the Sierra Madre Oriental and Chiapas, Mexico.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.midsouthfieldguide"},{"basis":"NatureServe subnational native or exotic flag for this state","claim":"native","matched_name":"Ilex ambigua","scope":"AL","source":"natureserve_explorer","srank":"SNR","url":"https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.158416/Ilex_ambigua"}],"county_native_range":"unresolved","decided_by":"al_atlas","explanation":"Alabama Plant Atlas (published flora, state claim) gives the value, over a broader claim from a higher tier. Speaks for its own area (GA-NC-SC, NC, TN), not this state: FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Weakley), Vascular Plants of North Carolina (NC Natural Heritage Program).","label":"Native to Alabama (state-specific source)","provenance":{"flags":["over_higher_tier"],"source":"al_atlas","specificity":"state","tier":"published_flora"},"rule":"fact-hierarchy-2","status":"native_supported"},"source_name":"Ilex ambigua","taxon_id":"taxon:fb347e07-86ef-515b-a4ee-d3921d55f79a","revision":"publish:903368a2-17ec-496c-89d2-a217f30d9dda","photos":[{"id":"inat-103517618","src":"/api/photos/image/03c39ebeda79eee576c8abdc2e6e52aacb773f97ad7c1f1fb28791907bfda109.jpeg","view":"fruit","alt":"Ilex ambigua — fruit photograph","width":500,"height":281,"artist":"(c) Jay Horn, some rights reserved (CC BY)","license":"CC BY 4.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","source_url":"https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/103517618","changes":"iNaturalist medium image; no additional crop, retouching, or re-encoding.","kind":"photo"}]}