The hardy, deciduous shrub, Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a species of Holly native to the US, found East of the Mississippi ranging from Alabama to southern Canada, in swamps, wet woods and other areas with evenly moist, acidic soil.  Ranging in size from 8 to 12 feet in width and height, the Winterberry is also used in gardens as a cheery winter ornamental, thriving both in rain gardens and dryer soils, hence its Facilitative Wetland designation of "Usually occur in wetlands, but may occur in non-wetlands".   Winterberry propagates both by suckering and flowering.  As with the Spicebush, at least one male plant must be planted within pollination distance to females for them to bear fruit. Unlike the evergreen Holly, the Winterberry's leaves turn black at first frost and entirely loses it leaves -making its clusters of red berries even more striking on bare branches in the early winter.

Beyond its utility as an important source of food for nearly 50 species of birds and small mammals, its berries and branches are also used for fall wreathes and flower arrangements.  In the Berkshires, Massachusetts garden centers sell a small bouquet of  Winterberry for $7 - a well filled 5 gallon bucket is around $30  - you can even pick your own.

Visit the gallery page at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for some great photos of the plant and berries.

Sources and Further Reading:

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ilve

http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/winberry.htm

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ILVE