Visitor Education Center (VEC)
About Us The Visitor Education Center (VEC) at the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery is the first and only facility Berries of its kind in Mississippi. It is owned and operated by the Mississippi Planting Tips/Habitat: Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. This is found in a variety of soils from very wet to very dry. In addition to the native habitat area, the VEC features a 10,000 Holly branches with berries The weeping yaupon needs full gallon aquarium, interactive sun to part shade and can be exhibits, displays, artifacts, fishing easily transplanted. Plant yaupon rodeo pond, gift shop and gallery, MISSISSIPPI holly trees several feet apart to and the World Record White NATIVE: allow a more “weeping form” of Crappie. All of these elements serve as entertaining and engaging WEEPING the trees to show. learning experiences for all visitors. YAUPON HOLLY This evergreen holly is tolerant of The VEC promotes the sport of (Ilex vomitoria – ‘Pendula’) drought but also thrives in wet or freshwater fishing in Mississippi, NMFH Visitor well-drained soil. The shape of the and encourages the conservation plant is altered with pruning. and stewardship of aquatic Education Center Although both male and female resources. The facility offers guided Phone: (662) 563-8068 plants produce flowers, only the and self-guided tours along with a Web: www.mdwfp.com females produce berries. myriad of programs and workshops Address: P.O. Box 100, 457 for the public. CR 36, Enid, MS 38927
Contact Us Size: This tree reaches heights of 15 to 20 feet. Older plants can grow up to 30 feet high. The yaupon has a spread of 6 to 12 feet. Leaves are less than 2 inches long.
No Other Names
Leaves
Description/Season: Berries The weeping yaupon has a Interesting Facts: “weeping form” with multiple The weeping yaupon’s berries are crooked trunks. The bark is white an attraction for different types of to dark gray. This tree displays wildlife, especially birds. white flowers and grayish-green, oval leaves. The berries are round and bright red.
Flowers appear in the spring. Berries appear in the fall lasting into the winter. Information Sources: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, MSU Extension, Clemson.edu, USDA, and VEC Staff. Pictures taken at the VEC (Wiggins, E.J.); Tree at VEC property of MDWFP.