Ilex opaca
American holly is well-known, particularly for its involvement during Christmas time. In many holiday songs and poems, the plant is heavily connected with cheer and merry making. It is identified by its dark-green, stiff leaves and bright red fruit. The fruit are poisonous to cats, dogs, and humans.
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Foliage: Evergreen
Mature height range: Generally around 15-25 ft., but upwards of 100 ft.
Light exposure: Full shade to full sun
Soil preference: Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerance: Tolerant of both dry and swampy environments and numerous cultivars exist that tolerate cold well
Wildlife: Fruit is eaten by birds and mammals, nesting by birds, pollinated by insects, larval host plant for woodland elfin (Callophrys henrici)
