Identification of Holly Leaves

Types

• The American holly (Ilex opaca) has a tree form and evergreen leaves, and grows from Massachusetts to Texas. Other evergreen holly types include the Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine), myrtle Dahoon holly (Ilex myrtifolia) and yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria). Nonnative evergreen hollies include English holly (Ilex aquifolium) and Japanese holly (Ilex crenata). Deciduous hollies in shrub or small tree form are mountain holly (Ilex montana), possum haw (Ilex decidua) and winterberry (Ilex verticillata).

Shape

• Many of the evergreen holly trees feature an elliptical leaf with a spiny point, as well as spiny teeth along the edges. American and English hollies are examples of this. The leaves of yaupon holly lack a spiny tip, being blunt at the end, with wavy edges rather than pointed teeth on the borders. The Dahoon holly has oblong leaves, but no teeth or spines on the edges. The deciduous possum haw has spoon-shaped foliage. Mountain holly and winterberry have leaves shaped like spear heads.

Size

• The lengths of holly leaves vary, but no holly has extremely large leaves. One of the longest belongs to mountain holly, with its foliage reaching 5 inches long on occasion. American holly leaves can be 3 ½ inches in length, while those of English holly, possum haw and winterberry are 3 inches long. Yaupon and Dahoon hollies have smaller leaves, with the biggest being just 1 ¼ inches long. Mostholly leaves have widths no larger than half their lengths.

Color

• The evergreen holly leaves typically possess a shiny appearance and have a leathery texture, remaining bright and green despite the advent of winter. The evergreen hollies are a darker shade of green above than on the undersides. The deciduous hollies are shades of green, with these leaves changing color come fall. However, they do not become "especially showy," notes the University of Connecticut Plant Database. Winterberry changes to hues of green-yellow with a hint of purple; mountain holly and possum haw turn yellow.