Ilex opaca

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American Holly

Form:	Tree
Size:	40-60 ft tall by 15-25 ft wide
Life Span:	Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:	White
Fruit Color:	Red
Phenology:	Evergreen. Blooms in spring. Fruits ripen in fall and persist into winter.
Noted for:	Showy fruits, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance

Recommended Uses:

Specimen tree. Screen.

Considerations:

Sharp spines (teeth) on leaves.

Propagation:

Softwood cuttings started in spring. Seeds of most holly species require 2-3 years of dormancy before they will germinate.

Availability:

Native nurseries, FNPS plant sales, Quality nurseries, Seed

Light:

Part Shade, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

always floodedextremely dry

(Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Somewhat long very dry periods)

Moisture Tolerance:

Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.

Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or other substrate:

Loam, Sand

Soil pH:

Acidic to neutral

Wildlife:

Fruits are eaten by birds.

Insects:

Bees pollinate flowers.

Native Habitats:

Upland woods, second bottom but will not tolerate long flooding. Often an understory plant.

Documented in Lee County in a site likely to be natural. Documented in Palm Beach County in an urbanizing area where likely to be a garden escape.

Suitable to grow in:
10A 8A 8B 9A 9B

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

Ethnobotany:	The wood is pale, tough, close-grained, takes a good polish, and is used for handles, engraving blocks, and cabinet work. It can also be dyed and used as a substitute for ebony. Fruits are poisonous to humans.
General Comments:	Both male and female plants required for pollination and seed set.