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Ilex opaca

American Holly, Christmas Holly

Native/Alien:

Native

Type:

Evergreen Tree

Bloom Color(s):

white

Size:

70 ft

Bloom Time:

April - May - June

Bloom Area:

Statewide (Mountains, Piedmont, Coast)

Male plant in bloom

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Jack Spruill, 4/28/09, Hampstead

From Jack Spruill - As with all the Ilex that I know, the male plants have many more flowers than do the females.

Female plant

Females must be near a male plant to set fruit. This one was 25' from the preceding male tree so it has a heavy berry set.

image

Jack Spruill, 4/28/09, Hampstead

Fruits

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David Paynter, Wilmington, 2/1/2011

Bark of a mature tree.

The bark is normally gray and smooth. This one is unusually beautiful.

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Jack Spruill, 12/21/06, Hampstead

Bark on a very old tree.

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Jack Spruill, 6/29/09, Albemarle Sound

From Jack: Here is a very old Ilex opaca on my farm on the Albemarle Sound. This tree is very tall. I do not know if it is a male or female. Often I can tell the sex of the American Holly by examining its leaves. The leaves of a male tend to be smaller than the leaves of the female.

Links:

 USDA PLANTS Database Record

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Comments - Leave a comment or read what's been added!

The choice of the species name “opaca” by William Aiton (1731- 93) is of interest to me.

The Latin root “opacus” is said to mean opaque, shaded, dark or dull. Opaque is further defined as “not relecting light.”

Some authorities describe the top of the leaves as “dull” or “leathery” supporting the choice of “opaca.”

Other descriptions use the term “glossy.” I think that is a better description of the leaves of a healthy tree in North Carolina. In that case, “opaque” does not seem appropriate for the top side of the leaves, but perhaps the underside?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  02/01  at  11:21 PM
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