Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center


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Northeast Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

American Holly
Ilex opaca Soland. in Ait.

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Holly (Aquifoliaceae)
Flowering: May-June
Field Marks: This tree is readily recognized by its prickly-edged, evergreen, leathery leaves.
Habitat: Moist woods.
Habit: Tree to 60 feet tall, with a trunk diameter up to 2 1/2 feet; bark light gray, pebbly.
Twigs: Pale brown, minutely hairy when young, becoming smooth; buds round-tipped or pointed, with brown, hairy scales.
Leaves: Alternate, simple, evergreen, leathery, oval to elliptic, spiny toothed, dark green above, paler below, up to 4 inches long, up to 2 inches wide.
Flowers: Male and female borne separately, usually on separate trees, the male 3-10 in a stalked cluster, the female usually solitary.
Sepals: 4, green, united below.
Petals: 4, greenish white, free from each other.
Stamens: 4.
Pistils: Ovary superior, smooth.
Fruits: Drupes red, spherical, up to 1/2 inch in diameter, persisting throughout the winter.
Notes: The leaves and berries are used for Christmas decorations. The plant is grown extensively as an ornamental. The wood can be used to make furniture.

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Page Last Modified: Thursday, 03-Aug-2006 11:39:25 EDT
Menlo Park, CA [caww55]