Ait.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.132716
Element CodePDAQU010R0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderCelastrales
FamilyAquifoliaceae
GenusIlex
Other Common NamesAmerican holly (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-06-07
Change Date1983-09-19
Edition Date2024-06-07
Edition AuthorsNordman, C. (2024).
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsAmerican Holly (Ilex opaca) occurs in the eastern United States, its native range is from New England south to Florida, and west to Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. There are perhaps more than 10,000 occurrences rangewide, including on many National Forests, National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, State conservation lands. Threats include the loss of habitat due to residential development and urbanization, and competition from invasive exotic plants.
Range Extent CommentsAmerican Holly (Ilex opaca) occurs in the eastern United States, its native range is from New England south to Florida, and west to southernmost Ohio, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. It has expanded its range from horticultural plantings and naturalization especially in the Midwest, into Michigan, central and northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and upstate New York. The native range extent was estimated to be 2.7 million square kilometers, using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (Cooperrider 1995, GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, Little 1979, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024, Weakley and Southeastern Flora Team 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, it is estimated that there are more than 300 and perhaps more than 10,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsThreats to American Holly (Ilex opaca) are low overall, and include the loss of habitat due to residential development and urbanization, and competition from invasive exotic plants.