Trees of Alabama and the Southeast Home Page

Leaves are simple, alternate, leathery, stiff, and evergreen with sharp spines on the leaf margin. Twigs are gray-white and smooth. Bark is light gray and smooth.  Fruit is an orange-red drupe found on female trees.  American holly is found in mesic forests in the southeastern U.S. and is very shade tolerant.  The white, hard wood is used for specialty items such as piano keys.  The fruit is eaten by birds and animals.  A popular ornamental.

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All text and photographs are intended for educational purposes only and are not for commercial use in any form.  All photographs are copyrighted by the named photographer(s), text copyright by Lisa Samuelson. © 2005, all rights reserved. Photographs by Mike Hogan.