Maryland system Interoperable departments Field article Flora & fauna profile

Flora profile

American Holly

American holly helps readers notice winter cover, berries, evergreen structure, and coastal-to-Piedmont forest texture.

Read this plant as part of a Maryland system: habitat, season, water, cover, insects, birds, mammals, and low-impact field observation.

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Flora profile Maryland habitat context for American Holly
This habitat-context image supports the American Holly profile. American Holly is most useful when read through habitat structure and wildlife relationships, not just as a standalone name.

Professional guide

By Maryland Wilderness Editorial TeamWritten/reviewed by Michael W. Deem

Reviewed for Maryland-specific habitat context, seasonal timing, low-disturbance field use, public education value, and clear boundaries around official rules or licensed work.

Reviewer background

Reviewer background includes current Wildlife Damage Control Operator (WDCO) work through the Maryland DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service framework, ten years of wildlife-conflict experience since 2016, licensed private-applicator experience, practical entomology and pesticide knowledge, nuisance-pattern prevention, insects and attractants, habitat reading, and public education across Maryland wildlife topics.

Maryland Wilderness does not replace emergency services, veterinary care, legal advice, health departments, public-land managers, or Maryland DNR / Wildlife & Heritage Service decisions. Verify current rules, closures, permits, seasons, and protected-species requirements with the official manager before acting.

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Profile details

How to read American Holly in Maryland.

Common name

American Holly

Scientific name

Ilex opaca

Field type

Evergreen understory tree

Maryland habitat lens

coastal woods, sandy forest, mixed upland woods, sheltered edges, and evergreen understory pockets

Best timing

winter berries and evergreen structure make it especially visible in cold months

Fauna connections

wintering birds, berry-eating wildlife, sheltered cover users

Interconnected reading

Where this profile should send the reader next.

Paired guide

Atlantic Coast

Use this next step to connect American Holly with wildlife, habitat, timing, or field method.

Paired guide

Winter

Use this next step to connect American Holly with wildlife, habitat, timing, or field method.

Paired guide

Wood Thrush

Use this next step to connect American Holly with wildlife, habitat, timing, or field method.

Use standard

Observe without collecting or exposing sensitive locations.

Use this page to improve field reading. Do not remove plants, seed, bark, flowers, fruit, nests, eggs, shells, or animals from public land unless current rules clearly allow it. For plant nativity, county records, rare status, and regulated handling, verify with official Maryland sources before publishing location-specific claims.

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