Arkansas Tree Database

Scientific name:

Ilex Opaca

Size:

25' tall by 12' wide, up to 50' tall

Leaves:

alternate, simple, 2"-4" long, oval, leathery, with spiny margins, persisting 3 years; shiny green above, not as dark green as other hollies, and yellowish green beneath, with prominent veins

Flowers:

small and white, with four petals; May-June

Fruit:

pea-sized red berry-like fruit (called a drupe) in open clusters, persisting into winter, eaten by birds; September-October

Fall Interest:

broadleaf evergreen

Culture:

sun to partial sun; moist, well-drained, acidic soil; slow growing

Disease/Insect:

Use:

specimen evergreen, hedge

Cultivars:

Notes:

bark thin, brown to gray-brown with warty projections; pyramidal shape; largest holly native to Arkansas and only native holly with spiny leaves and red berries; valuable nectar plant; native to Arkansas