Alternate name: Deciduous Holly

Family: Aquifoliaceae, Holly view all from this family

Description Deciduous shrub or small tree with spreading crown and bright red berries.
Height: 20' (6 m).
Diameter: 6” (15 cm).
Leaves: deciduous; mostly clustered on short spur twigs; alternate on vigorous twigs; 1—3" (2.5—7.5 cm) long, 3/8—1 1/4" (1—3 cm) wide. Spoon-shaped or narrowly obovate; finely wavy-toothed. Dull green above, paler and hairy on veins beneath.
Bark: light brown to gray; thin; smooth or warty.
Twigs: light gray, slender, hairless.
Flowers: 1/4" (6 mm) wide; with 4 rounded white petals; on slender stalks at end of spur twigs; in spring; male and female on separate plants.
Fruit: 1/4" (6 mm) in diameter; berrylike; red; bitter pulp; 4 narrow grooved nutlets; short-stalked; in clusters; 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 Moist soils along streams and in swamps.

Range Maryland south to central Florida, west to Texas, and north to SE. Kansas; to about 1200' (366 m).

Discussion Possum Haw is conspicuous in winter, with its many, small, red berries along leafless, slender, gray twigs. Opossums, raccoons, other mammals, songbirds, and gamebirds eat the fruit of this and related species.