dahoon

dahoon (duh-HOON) - n., a large holly shrub (Ilex cassine) of Florida and neighboring coastlines, having bright red berries and leathery dark-green leaves.


Or formerly of that range -- it's been widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. Also called dahoon holly, cassena, and yaupon. The origin of the name is unknown, aside from it's an Americanism dateable to the 1720s. Example with unripe berries:


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---L.