Alternate name: Dahoon
Family: Aquifoliaceae, Holly view all from this family
Description Evergreen shrub or small tree with rounded, dense crown and abundant, bright red berries.
Height: 30' (9 m).
Diameter: 1' (0.3 m).
Leaves: evergreen; 1 1/2-3 1/2" (4-9 cm) long, 1/4-1 1/4" (0.6-3.2 cm) wide. Oblong or obovate; slightly thick and leathery; usually without teeth or spines; edges often turned under. Shiny dark green and becoming hairless above, light green (and densely hairy when young) beneath.
Bark: dark gray; thin, smooth to rough and warty.
Twigs: slender, densely covered with silky hairs, becoming brown.
Flowers: 3/16" (5 mm) wide; with 4 rounded white petals; on short stalks mostly at base of new leaves in spring; male and female on separate plants.
Fruit: 1/4" (6 mm) in diameter; berrylike, round, shiny red (sometimes yellow or orange), short-stalked; mealy bitter pulp; 4 narrow grooved brown nutlets, maturing in autumn, remaining attached in winter.
Warning All Ilex species may be somewhat toxic if ingested. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Habitat Wet soils along streams and swamps, sometimes sandy banks or brackish soils.
Range SE. North Carolina south to S. Florida, and west to S. Louisiana; to 200' (61 m); also Bahamas, Cuba, Puerto Rico and 1 variety in Mexico.
Discussion Planted as an ornamental for the evergreen foliage and profuse red fruit used in Christmas decorations. The common name apparently is of American Indian origin.
