American Holly

Ilex opaca · Aquifoliaceae (Holly family)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
American Holly

Leaf Morphology

Leaf Type

Simple evergreen

Shape

Elliptic to ovate with multiple spiny lobes

Margin

Spinose-dentate with rigid, spine-tipped teeth

Arrangement

Alternate on a short petiole

Venation

Pinnate with a prominent midrib and obscure lateral veins

Key Features

Dull green leathery blade with distinct spiny-tipped marginal teeth

Description

Small to medium evergreen tree with smooth gray bark and dense pyramidal form. Produces small white flowers followed by bright red globose drupes that persist through winter.

Habitat

Understory of deciduous and mixed forests in moist, acidic, well-drained soils

Native Range

Native to the eastern and south-central United States

Notes

Found in Sumter, South Carolina

Identified on 10/18/2026