Holly, with its distinctive pointed leaves and bright red berries, is a common sight at this time of year, at least on holiday cards and wrappings. ... American holly (Ilex opaca): ...

American holly (Ilex opaca) looks a lot like English holly, used to deck the halls, with its lobed leaves and red berries. But they come in all sizes, from 15 feet (5m) to 60 feet (12m) tall.

Worldwide there are more than 400 trees and shrubs in holly's Ilex genus. Most of them are native to other parts of the world, but American holly is native to the eastern half of this country.