Ilex opaca

American Holly

[ click on any image below to see larger version ]

Family: Aquifoliaceae (Holly family)

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: April - June
Mid-Atlantic fruit ripe: September - October

American Holly is a small tree that grows to 6 - 10 m (19 - 33 feet) and is dioecious (individual specimens have either "male" or "female" flowers, not both). Its leaves remain green through the winter, and its bright red berries (on female trees) provide a welcome respite from winter's drab browns. American Holly male flowers typically have 4 stamens; its female flowers often have infertile vestigial stamens.

17 December 2025 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA	5 December 2016 Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria, VA	5 December 2016 Eleanor C. Lawrence Park, Centreville, VA	25 May 2016 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA
male flowers
9 May 2019 Doves Landing Park, Manassas, VA (male flowers)	12 May 2023 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA (male flowers)	12 May 2023 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA (male flowers)	12 May 2023 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA (male flowers)
female flowers
26 May 2016 Leopold's Preserve, Haymarket, VA (female flowers)	26 May 2016 Leopold's Preserve, Haymarket, VA (female flowers)	14 May 2023 Prince William County, VA (female flowers)	20 May 2022 Blandy Experimental Farm, Boyce, VA (female flowers)

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