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Ilex opaca, theAmerican holly, is a species ofholly, native to the eastern and south-centralUnited States, from coastalMassachusettssouth to centralFlorida, and west to southeasternMissouriand easternTexas.[4][5]
Ilex opacais a medium-sized broadleavedevergreentree growing on average to 10–20m (33–66ft) wide, and up to 30m (98ft) tall. Typically, its trunk diameter reaches 50cm (20in), sometimes up to 120cm (47in). Thebarkis light gray, roughened by small warty lumps. Thebranchletsare stout, green at first and covered with rusty down, later smooth and brown. The winter buds are brown, short, obtuse or acute.
The leaves are alternate, 5–7.5cm (2.0–3.0in) long and 2–4cm (0.79–1.57in) wide, stiff, yellow green and dull matte to sub-shiny above (distinctly less glossy than the otherwise fairly similar European hollyIlex aquifolium[6]), often pale yellow beneath; the edges are curved into several sharp, spike-like points, and a wedge-shaped base andacute apex; themidribis prominent and depressed, the primary veins conspicuous; thepetioleis short, stout, grooved, thickened at base, with a pair of minutestipules. The leaves remain on the branches for two to three years, finally falling in the spring when pushed off by growing buds.[4][7][8]