30 American Holly Tree Seeds for Planting Ilex opaca

🌱American holly is a medium-sized broadleaved evergreen tree growing on average to 10–20 m (33–66 ft) wide, and up to 30 m (98 ft) tall. Typically, its trunk diameter reaches 50 cm (20 in), sometimes up to 120 cm (47 in). The bark is light gray, roughened by small warty lumps.
🌱The leaves are alternate, 5–7.5 cm (2.0–3.0 in) long and 2–4 cm (0.79–1.57 in) wide, stiff, yellow-green, and dull matte to sub-shiny above (distinctly less glossy than the otherwise fairly similar European holly Ilex aquifolium, often pale yellow beneath; the edges are curved into several sharp, spike-like points, and a wedge-shaped base and acute apex; the midrib is prominent and depressed, the primary veins conspicuous.
🌱The flowers are greenish white, small, and borne in late spring in short pedunculate cymes from the axils of young leaves or scattered along the base of young branches. The calyx is small, four-lobed, imbricate in the bud, acute, margins ciliate, and persistent.
🌱The fruit is a small red drupe 6–12 mm in diameter containing four seeds; it is often persistent into winter.
🌱The wood is very pale, tough, and close-grained. It takes good polish and is used for whip handles, engraving blocks, and also cabinet work. It can also be dyed and used as a substitute for ebony.