Any of approximately 400 species of red-or black-berried ornamental shrubs and trees that make up the genus Ilex (family Aquifoliaceae), including the popular Christmas hollies.
English holly ( I. aquifolium ) bears shiny, spiny, dark, evergreen leaves; American holly ( I. opaca ) has oblong, prickly leaves; both have usually red fruits. There are spineless and yellow-fruited forms of both species.
American holly ( Ilex opaca )
s Noble Proctor from the National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers