American Holly

American Holly

Ilex opaca

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Plantae
Abundance: Abundant
Habitat: Forest, Urban
Active Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

An evergreen shrub or small tree that is easily recognizable with a narrow, rounded crown of distinctive, prickly leaves, small white flowers, and bright red berries in the fall and winter. The fruiting branches of the American Holly are popular Christmas decorations, and the bitter berries are food for many birds and mammals. The smooth, silver-gray trunk of the American Holly provides fine-textured wood that is often used for handles, carvings, piano keys, ship models, rulers, and inlays in cabinetwork, and can be dyed various shades. Height: 5-50’

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Aquifoliales
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Genus: Ilex
Species: Ilex opaca

Scientific Name

Ilex opaca

Common Name

American Holly
Plant Type
Shrub
Foliage
Evergreen
Flowering Season
March-June
Fruiting Season
September-December

Ecological Role

Larval host for the Henry's Elfin butterfly (Callophrys henrici), the berries are great forage for birds and mammals throughout the winter

Active Seasons

Spring Summer Fall Winter

Habitat Types

Forest
Urban

Geographic Distribution

Native to the eastern and south-central United States, from coastal Massachusetts south to central Florida, and west to southeastern Missouri and eastern Texas.

Local Abundance

Abundant

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

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