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| ## american holly {#american-holly .Title-Header}                     |
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| *Ilex opaca* Ait.                                                     |
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| Plant Symbol = ILOP                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of American Holly (Ilex
opaca)](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.0in" height="2.0in"}**Uses**

The attractive evergreen foliage and bright red fruit of this small tree
make it a very popular for landscaping. The same attributes that allow
this tree to be a desirable ornamental make it one of the most sought
after greens for Christmas decoration. The firm bright red berries are
consumed by white-tail deer and 18 species of birds. The dense foliage
also provides cover and nesting habitat for various songbirds.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

American holly normally grows to heights of 15 to 30 feet tall, but
records indicate mature heights of up to 100 feet. On the poor soils of
coastal beaches, this holly may never exceed shrub size. The bark of it
is smooth, and grayish to grayish-brown. The dense branches of this
holly grow nearly horizontal in a spreading crown, which takes on a
pyramidal silhouette.

The evergreen foliage is stiff and leathery in texture, with large,
remotely spined teeth. The leaves are arranged alternately. They are 2
to 4 inches long, satin green and smooth above, and yellowish-green
below.

Small, axillary, greenish-white flowers bloom from April to June. Like
most others in the holly genus, American holly is dioecious. Pistillate
flowers emerge in small clusters from one plant, while staminate flower
clusters develop on another. Newly established plants will not flower
for 4 to 7 years; prior to flowering there is no practical means of
determining the gender of a plant. Bright red, rarely orange or yellow,
globular fruit mature from September to October, but may be retained on
the plant into the following spring. The berry-like fruit is about 1/3
inch in diameter, and contains 4 to 9 small nutlets. There are an
average of 28,430 seeds per pound.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

American holly grows from Massachusetts to Florida, west to Texas and
Missouri, and is adapted to a wide range of site conditions. It grows
best on well drained, sandy soils, but will tolerate those which are
somewhat poorly drained. This small tree has good shade tolerance, but
does well in direct sun. Although this species is often found growing on
coastal sand dunes, it is not very salt spray tolerant.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Utilize standard tree and shrub planting procedures to establish
containerized or balled and burlapped plants. Bare rooted transplants
usually have marginal success.

When establishing American holly, it is important to plant males as well
as females if berry production is desired. In a nursery situation the
gender ratio should be 1:10, males to females. Establish American holly
only where surrounding vegetation or physical barriers protect the
plants from harsh winds. Holly plants prefer partial shade, with some
full sun exposure during the day.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

There are many ornamental varieties, available from commercial
nurseries, selected for berry and leaf color. There are also commercial
sources of locally and regionally collected material available from
native plant nurseries.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060801 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060801-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*