Scrub holly is
sometimes considered a variety (var. arenicola) of the
wide-ranging American holly (I. opaca). It differs from
American holly in its smaller stature and smaller,
narrower leaves that are yellowish, strongly curled, and
held upright. Scrub holly is restricted to scrubs from
Marion County to Highlands County.
Following fire,
scrub holly resprouts like other scrub shrubs, but
sometimes it may survive above ground and start growing
again from the top, resulting in a holly that stands
above the scrub's oaks and crookedwood which resprouted
from their roots. Scrub holly makes an excellent
landscaping shrub that requires no supplemental watering.
It is available from several nurseries in Florida.