Picture of the Day: American Holly

American holly is a Virginia native found in a variety of habitats, often along fence rows. Can you guess why?

American Holly (Ilex opaca Ait.)

Trees are either male with clusters of greenish-white blooms or female with single, pleasant smelling blossoms. The female trees produce the bitter red berries that birds love and that you see often in holiday decorations. The very light colored wood of the holly is sometimes dyed black and used in musical instruments in place of ebony.

Check out your copy of Common Native Trees of Virginia from the Virginia Department of Forestry to learn more about this winter loving species.