NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Ilex opaca [= Ilex opaca var. opaca]
American Holly, Christmas Holly
Scientific Name: |
Ilex opaca [= Ilex opaca var. opaca] |
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Genus: |
Ilex |
Species Epithet: |
opaca |
Common Name: |
American Holly, Christmas Holly |
Plant Type |
Tree |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Size: |
12-36 ft., 36-72 ft. |
Bloom Color(s): |
White, Green |
Light: |
Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Dry, Moist, Wet |
Bloom Time: |
April, May, June |
Growing Area: |
Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain |
Habitat Description: |
In a wide variety of forests, ranging from xeric to wetland (Weakley 2015). Common throughout NC. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Alternate |
Leaf Retention: |
Evergreen |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Simple |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Important for Wildlife |
Landscape Value: |
Recommended and Available |
State Rank: |
S5: Secure (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G5 - Secure (*Key) |
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. |
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Jack Spruill, 4/28/09, Hampstead |
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David Paynter, Wilmington, 2/1/2011 |
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Jack Spruill, 12/21/06, Hampstead |
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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. |
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Bettina Darveaux |
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