American Holly Chimera

(Updated: Feb. 26, 2021, 10:53 a.m.)
Yellow-fruited American hollies (Ilex opaca)  are not uncommon in the nursery trade.  We have a nice one here on the grounds of the Craven County Agricultural Building, donated to us over 25 years ago by the late J.C. Raulston as "yellow-fruited form."
What is unusual in these images is the single berry - technically a drupe - with the neatly delineated bright red section.  After consulting with some of my NC State University horticulture colleagues, I agree that this is in all likelihood a chimera.  In the horticulture realm, a chimera can be defined as a plant or plant part that is a genetic mixture of two or more genetically different types of cells.  Search online for "chimera fruit" and you'll find lots of examples on citrus, apples, and other fruit.


Images taken on 2/26/21, Craven County Agricultural Building.