Visitor Education Center (VEC)

About Us The Visitor Education Center (VEC) at the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery is the first and only facility of its kind in Mississippi. It is owned Bush approximately 7 foot tall and operated by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, Planting/Pruning and Parks. In addition to the native habitat Tips: area, the VEC features a 10,000 Berry clusters gallon aquarium, interactive Seeds germinate best if planted exhibits, displays, artifacts, fishing right after gathering. Soil needs to rodeo pond, gift shop and gallery, MISSISSIPPI be warm and moist. and the World Record White NATIVE: Crappie. All of these elements serve Possumhaw holly are bushy as entertaining and engaging POSSUMHAW plants. If planting multiple bushes, learning experiences for all visitors. HOLLY leave room between plants for them to grow. The VEC promotes the sport of (Ilex decidua) freshwater fishing in Mississippi, NMFH Visitor When pruning wear protective and encourages the conservation clothing to prevent cuts from the and stewardship of aquatic Education Center tough branches. resources. The facility offers guided Phone: (662) 563-8068 and self-guided tours along with a Web: www.mdwfp.com myriad of programs and workshops Address: P.O. Box 100, 457 for the public. CR 36, Enid, MS 38927

Contact Us Habitat/Size: Native to Mississippi, this holly can be found in river bottoms and moist, wooded areas.

The possumhaw can grow to an

average height of 15 feet. Its leaves grow to a length of Red berries approximately 3 inches. Interesting Facts:

This native plant makes a nice Green berries Other Names: accent tree/shrub. The berries Deciduous Holly, Swamp Holly, attract numerous species of birds, Description/Season: including cedar waxwings. The Bearberry, and Winterberry Possumhaw is a small tree that berries also attract insects and can be trimmed into a shrub. This small mammals. It provides good perennial has dark green leaves nesting areas for birds and is that turn yellow in the fall. moderately resistant to deer.

Blooming occurs March – May The limbs are covered in berries; followed by berry production. these limbs are used in ornamental and holiday These tiny flowers form clusters arrangements. of berries on the limbs of the female tree. Berries are green then change to orange and deep red. These berries last through Berries turning red winter into early spring. Information Sources: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, MSU Extension, Clemson.edu, USDA, and VEC Staff. Pictures taken at the VEC (Wiggins, E.J.); property of MDWFP.