The English holly, now grown in Oregon and Washington, is considered most beautiful because it has thornier, glossier leaves, larger brighter berries, and more of them. Our North American holly, never as tall, formerly grew along the Atlantic Coast from Nova Scotia to Florida, in the Gulf states, and up the Mississippi valley as far as southern Indiana. Destructive cutting has eliminated the tree in many localities. On the upper branches of tall trees the leaves are spineless but in general the leaves have numerous sharp spines. They stay on 3 years and then drop off in autumn, yet the tree stays evergreen because each year it grows new twigs with new leaves.
Some trees have only male flowers and therefore no berries.
It is used in inlays or, dyed black, as a substitute for ebony. Relished by birds and other animals, they make a human violently sick. Argonne National Laboratory, Division of Educational Programs, Harold Myron, Ph.D., Division Director.