Appearance
Distinguishing features of this species are crenate leaf margins and fruiting pedicels that are 2–8 mm long. Its "distinctive leaf shape... is less variable than other species of holly". Leaves are obovate, simple, alternating, deciduous, and grow to 2.5-7.5 cm long.Drupe fruits are red , shiny, and globose , with a diameter of 4–8 mm. The pulp is bitter; they contain 3-5 seeds and mature in autumn.
Slender twigs are glabrous and silvery gray, with numerous spur shoots, pointed lateral buds, and acuminate scales.
Bark is "light brown to gray" in color and may be smooth or "warty and roughened".
Distribution
''Ilex decidua'' is a common plant, growing in the US in Alabama, Arkansas, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.It grows in the northern Mexico states of Chihuahua and Coahuila.
It prefers land in floodplains and the margins of swamps or lakes, and grows at elevations up to about 360 m. Other plant species with which possumhaw is associated include water tupelo , overcup oak , bald cypress , sycamore and hackberry.
The fruits attract songbirds and small mammals. Deer browse on young twigs.
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