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© Austin Pursley

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collage of American Holly and European Holly

American Holly (Ilex opaca) vs. European Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

Updated January 26th, 2021

These two broadleaf evergreen trees with spiny leaves are often confused, mainly in landscaping in the east. They are easily distinguished by their foliage, and they also have differences in fruit. In the east, European holly is rare outside of landscaping, but in the west it is widely invasive; American holly is native in the east and not found in the west.

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