Ilex opaca Aiton. Section: Cassinoides. American Holly, Christmas Holly, White Holly. Phen: Apr-Jun; Sep-Oct. Hab: In a wide variety of forests, ranging from xeric to wetland. Dist: MA (? NS and ME), IL, MO, and OK south to c. peninsular FL (apparently naturalized only in s. FL) and TX.

ID notes:This and I. krugiana of s. Florida are our only species of Ilex that become medium to large trees.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy: = C, F, G, Il, Mi, NcTx, Ok, Pa, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Tx, W, WV; = Ilex opaca ssp. opaca – Clark (2023); = Ilex opaca Aiton var. opaca – Ar, Fl7, GW2, K3, K4, Mo2, NE, NY, Va, WH3, Godfrey (1988)

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
• Great Plains: FACU
• Midwest: FACU
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily: 4