Tree of the Week: American Holly (Ilex opaca)

To most visitors of the arboretum the flowers of the American holly (Ilex opaca) will be passed by unnoticed. The clusters of tiny off-white flowers do not beg attention, and upon further inspection, the flowers produce only the faintest aroma. However, as the video below testifies, the six-legged, airborne visitors of the arboretum appreciate the American holly flowers quite a bit.

American hollies have grown happily in the arboretum. There are five individual trees and all thriving. The largest of the five is the on-site native, located near the Student Union Building. Ed Leuck made sure to give this tree plenty of room to take on its natural pyramidal shape. Only two plantings were made: the botany class of '87 contributed an individual from Bienville Parish, and in 1993, Ed Leuck planted a specimen collected from Cypress Lake. The last two American hollies volunteered at just the right time and in just the right places. They were added to the collection in 2002 and 2003, located not far from the '87 and '93 plantings.

Typical pointy holly leaves are pretty at Christmas but not appreciated while pruning (ouch!)

Flower cluster with leaves

Pollinator hard at work

Trunk detail of 2002 volunteer

Mottled bark of the on-site native

You can see additional photos of the arboretum's American hollies here. 

For more information about this species consult the following:
United States Department of Agriculture
University of Kentucky
Louisiana Plant Identification and Interactive Virtual Tours (LSU AgCenter)