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Taxon
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Taxon
Ilex
opaca
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Common name:
American Holly, White Holly
Family:
Aquifoliaceae (Holly)
Distribution:
Central to E. US
Habitat:
Rich bottom lands and swamps of coastal plain, 0-915 meters
Hardiness:
-20 - 30 F
Life form:
Evergreen tree
Bloom Time:
April to June
Attracts:
Host for butterflies
Foliage characteristics:
Simple, alternate, dark green leaves with entire and spiny margins. Yellowish green underneath. 1.5-4" long. Leaves not as glossy as other hollies.
Fruit characteristics:
Round, red drupe. Drupe is occasionally orange or yellow. Mature from September to October. Can persist on plant until following spring. .25-.5" diameter.
Bark characteristics:
Smooth and gray
Average height:
Cultivation: 15-30' Wild: 50'
Structure:
Pyramidal
Bloom characteristics:
Greenish-white flowers grow in clusters of 3-12 on male plants, while female flowers grow in 1s, 2s, or 3s.
Dioecious:
Yes.
Description:
The American holly is easily identified by its spiky green leaves and bright red berries - the only native North American holly with these characteristics. Its deeply colored leaves and fruit have made it the choice for “decking the halls" for decades. American and European hollies look very similar, but the American variety has larger and brighter leaves.
Links:
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
•
US Forest Service Fact Sheet
•
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Locations
1 - 20 / 124
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1:
Cultural Resource Center
(CRC)
• Accession: 2020-0340*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
2:
Cultural Resource Center
(CRC)
• Accession: 2020-0341*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
3:
Enid A. Haupt Garden
(HAUPT)
• Accession: 2011-0491*A
4:
Enid A. Haupt Garden
(HAUPT)
• Accession: 2011-0492*A
5:
Enid A. Haupt Garden
(HAUPT)
• Accession: 2011-0493*A
6:
Enid A. Haupt Garden
(HAUPT)
• Accession: 2011-0497*A
7:
Enid A. Haupt Garden
(HAUPT)
• Accession: 2011-0498*A
8:
Enid A. Haupt Garden
(HAUPT)
• Accession: 2011-0578*A
9:
Enid A. Haupt Garden
(HAUPT)
• Accession: 2011-0584*A
10:
Enid A. Haupt Garden
(HAUPT)
• Accession: 2011-0587*A
11:
Enid A. Haupt Garden
(HAUPT)
• Accession: 2011-0589*A
12:
Enid A. Haupt Garden
(HAUPT)
• Accession: 2011-0590*A
13:
Enid A. Haupt Garden
(HAUPT)
• Accession: 2011-0591*A
14:
Greenhouse 13: Seasonally Cool Growing Orchid House
(GH13)
• Accession: 2011-0250*A
15:
Hirshhorn Museum
(HMSG)
• Accession: 2011-0189*A
16:
Hirshhorn Museum
(HMSG)
• Accession: 2011-0190*A
17:
Hirshhorn Museum
(HMSG)
• Accession: 2011-0191*A
18:
Hirshhorn Museum
(HMSG)
• Accession: 2011-0192*A
19:
Hirshhorn Museum
(HMSG)
• Accession: 2011-0193*A
20:
Hirshhorn Museum
(HMSG)
• Accession: 2011-0194*A
Area
Individual