HOLLY FAMILY 



THE FLOWERS: of two kinds, the fertile generally solitary, 

 sometimes two or three together. The sterile flowers, 

 several, in a cyme. Calyx four-six toothed ; petals four-six, 

 separate or united only at the base; stamens four-six. 



THE FRUIT: a black drupe. 



A large, symmetrical bush that has spreading branches 

 and shiny, leathery, evergreen leaves (more or less brown in 

 the winter). The small, greenish- white flowers cuddle 

 under the leaves at the ends of the branches. Later they 

 are replaced by the black fruit. 



AQUIFOLIACE^E HOLLY FAMILY 



Ilex opaca, Ait. 



American Holly, 



Greenish-white Christmas Holly. 



Berries, red 



April-June 



Ilex: for derivation see fastigiata. 

 Opaca: Latin for opaque. 



THE PREFERRED HABITAT: groves. 



THE TREE : thirty feet high or taller the trunk slender with 

 light grey bark, "roughened by excresences " ; the branch- 

 lets stout, green at first and covered with rusty down, 

 later smooth and brown. 



THE LEAVES: alternate; evergreen; elliptical to oblong; 

 acute at the apex, more or less wedge-shaped at the base; 

 stems short, stout, grooved, thickened at the base; with 

 minute stipules; the margin wavy-toothed with a few 

 spiny teeth; feather- veined, the primary veins conspicuous. 

 "They remain on the branches for three years, finally 

 falling in the spring when pushed off by the growing buds." 

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