253. SWAMP HOLLY (_Ilex decidua_ Walt.) or possum haw, a common small
tree or shrub thriving best in lowlands, but also grows on dry limestone
bluffs. Leaves: 1 to 2 inches long, usually blunt at the tip, margins
with small, rounded teeth. Twigs: light gray, the short stems often
densely covered with fruit scars, resembling tiny cones; alternate on
the branches. Bark: pale gray often mottled, smooth. Flowers: dioecious,
white, very inconspicuous. Fruit: round, scarlet or orange, close to the
branches, singly or few together, on wood of the previous year, often
remain through winter. Wood: heavy, close-grained, creamy-white. This
tree suffers from vandals, especially near Christmas, although not
evergreen like its spiny-leaved relative, _Ilex opaca_ which is grown
commercially and is also a native of East Texas. Youpon (_Ilex
vomitoria_) is another native of East Texas which resembles our swamp
holly even more closely except that its leaves are evergreen, and its
fruit more pulpy.
[Illustration: 253 swamp holly]