- American holly (Ilex opaca)
any of the shrubs and trees of the genus
Ilex,in the family Aquifoliaceae, comprising about 400 species of red- or black-berried plants, including the popular Christmas hollies. They have alternate, simple leaves and single or clustered, small, usually greenish flowers (male and female being usually on separate plants). English holly (
I. aquifolium), a tree growing to 15 m (nearly 50 feet) tall, bears shining, spiny, dark, evergreen leaves and usually red fruits. The somewhat taller American holly (
I. opaca) has oblong, prickly leaves and usually red fruits. There are spineless and yellow-fruited forms of both species. Chinese holly (
I. cornuta), from East Asia, a shrub reaching 3 m (10 feet), produces scarlet berries among shining, evergreen leaves. Japanese holly (
I. crenata), an East Asian shrub growing to 6 m (20 feet), has small, evergreen leaves and black berries. Yaupon (
I.vomitoria), a shrubby tree reaching 8 m (26 feet), bears oval leaves and red berries. It is native to eastern North America, as is the winterberry, or black alder (
I. verticillata). Possum haw (
I. decidua), also deciduous, bears red fruits on a shrub growing to 10 m (33 feet). Yerba maté (
I. paraguariensis), a South American evergreen shrub, reaches 6 m; its leaves are used to make a popular caffeine-rich tea.
