Thicket/ American Holly

COMMON NAME: American Holly

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ilex opaca

FAMILY: Aquifoliaceae

COMMUNITY: Maritime Forest

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 40 to 70 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Late May to late June

FRUITING TIME: October to late December

DISTRIBUTION: Coastal plain and piedmont ~ Maine to Florida, west to Missouri and Texas

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Evergreen tree with narrow, rounded, dense crown ~ Leaves are a shinny green above and yellow-green below, margins with spines ~ Red berries which persist throughout the fall and winter, bitter, short stalked ~ Flowers are small and white in short clusters at the base of new leaves and along twigs ~ Bark is light gray, thin, smooth or rough with age ~ Twigs are brown or gray, stout, covered with fine hairs when young

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Aquifoliaceae) commonly called the Holly Family consists of 300-350 small to medium sized shrubs and trees; nearly all in the holly genus (Ilea). There is 1 native tree and 4 native shrub species in New Jersey. Wood of the American Holly has been used for making canes, scroll work and inlays and marquetry in fine furniture. The branches are a popular decoration around Christmas time. The berries attract a wide variety of birds.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails. This information is presented for educational purposes only.ark. New Jersey, 08752.