Possumhaw, or Deciduous Holly, is a fairly common small understory tree, most often found in bottomlands.

Leaves are clustered on short spurs. Clusters of tiny white flowers appear in April-May.

Leaves are usually obovate (egg-shaped, widest above the middle) to spathulate (spoon-shaped) and crenate (with blunt teeth).

Small white flowers appear in mid-spring.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Staminate (male) flowers. Possumhaw is dioecious — flowers on an individual tree are either male or female.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Pistillate (female) flowers.

Flowers and leaves are clustered on short spur branches.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Staminate flowers.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Staminate flowers.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

The leaves and fruits are usually clustered on short spur branches.

Granville Co., NC 6/4/05.

The bright red drupes on female plants last through the winter.

Durham Co., NC 12/4/05.

The bark has warty lenticels.