Ilex Opaca

Botanical Name:

Ilex opaca

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How to Grow
Water
Medium
Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.
Sunlight
Partial Shade - Partial Sun - Full Sun
~
3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun
Soil
Moist, well-drained, acidic soils. Acid-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam. Not so good in clay.
Heat Tolerant
yes
Cold Tolerant
yes
Characteristics

Bloom Time

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Plant Type

Trees, Shrub, Tree, Native Plant, Poisonous

Lifespan

Woody, Perennial

Plant Height

12-36 ft., 36-72 ft.

Flower

The American Holly is dioecious (male and female flowers are on separate trees). It has greenish-white flowers bloom April-June (male flowers in 3-12 flowered clusters and female flowers solitary or in 2's or 3's). Infloreescence is staminate a cyme, and pistillate single., Tiny flowers

Fruit

Bright red or orange berry-like drupe. Persist on tree from September through February. Both sexes must be present to produce fruit (dioecious)., Red, sometimes orange or yellow 1/4 to 1/3 inch

Benefits
Ornamental

Long-living, Understory, Screens, Fruits ornamental, Attractive, Mass planting

Attracts

Birds

Butterflies

Warning

All Ilex species may be somewhat toxic if ingested. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.

Taxonomy

Order

Celastrales

Family

Ilex - Hollies

Genus

Ilex