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