This lovely evergreen shrub or small tree is native to Texas and a few other states.
It is hardy and drought tolerant and provides cover and food for many birds, especially robins, blue jays and mockingbirds, they love those berries.
This shrub is almost a must if you are hosting birds, the evergreen cover is a great defense against hawks.
The last four pictures are of shrubs growing in a median of a busy highway.

http://wildflower.org/plants/r...

That really is beautiful. And what a feast for our fine feathered friends. I particularly like the fact that it makes a good shelter from hawks as we have Cooper's Hawks around. Some places tell me I'm on the borderline of this plant's hardiness so I haven't tried it but I do have other holly varieties.

Tee, what other native Holly varieties do you have in your garden?
I am curious to know which hollies are native to Tennessee.

One I know for certain is Possumhaw Holly (Ilex decidua). I see you are familiar with that one. :)

Another is Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata).

Ilex verticillata is also native to Texas but only to the extreme south east, it is very pretty.

Yaupon Holly leaves can be brewed for tea. Not sure about Possumhaw Holly. Winterberry looks nice...love those red berries!

frostweed said:Ilex verticillata is also native to Texas but only to the extreme south east, it is very pretty.

Yes, Yaupon is very common around here. When we used to go to scout camps, we were always told not the chopped down any trees, but to feel free and take all the Yaupon we wanted.

Things may have changed by now Jay, people are developing a new appreciation for native plants.

Oh, I believe they were very appreciative. It was said partly tongue-in-cheek, "Cut the Yaupon not the Yo! Pine". They have hundreds of scouts ranging from 5 to 18 using the camp almost continuously throughout the year. Kids are always wanting to cut down plants to whittle or make hiking sticks etc. and this was a way to allow them to and still protect the other less prolific and replenishable plants. I visited that camp several times a year for 14 years and never saw a shortage of Yaupon.

Well, that is very encouraging to hear, they are not that abundant around north central Texas.
Do you get to see the Winterberry holly around your area? I have never seen them here,

I was interested to hear about making tea from the Yaupon leaves. Is it tasty? Some question its native growth here, but it does grow around our area:
http://www.smokymountainnews.c...

This is another holly that is native to my area:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I...

Tee, that was a very interesting article about Yaupon tea. I knew that the native peoples used it, but I had never read such an extensive account.
I will have to try it some time, it sounds interesting.

Ilex glabra is native to Texas but not to my area, I think it grows around where Jay lives.

According to Bonap I. glabra doesn't even grow in Texas. I. vomitoria is considered adventive in Tennessee.

Bonap is far from perfect by I have found it to be the best source for plant nativity in North America.
http://www.bonap.org/BONAPmaps...

Thanks for that, Jay. From what I have read, it was probably first introduced and cultivated by the Cherokee Indians in the Smoky Mountains. It is now fairly plentiful in the upper south as well (at least into my zone 7). For some reason, the USDA says holly has no true native status. Is that true? It's old enough and has been around long enough in these parts to be considered the next best thing to native as it grows wild in some areas.

http://plants.usda.gov/java/pr...

As an aside, the word "Tennessee" comes from a Cherokee Indian name, Tanasi, which was the name of a major Cherokee town in southeastern Tennessee.

OT, but did anyone see Lynn's pics on the ID forum? I'm pretty sure it's Apache Plume! I'd love to grow them! So pretty!
The Yaupon Holly leaf tea...I went with Delena Tull's directions and roasted the leaves in the over at 200° until it turns brown. The tea is okay with honey, but I prefer my usual teas. I've got a nice bush of Yaupon Holly in my front yard. And nice link, Tee, good info!

Thanks, Linda. Yes, I saw those photos. Very pretty. I do want to try the Yaupon tea now that my curiosity is piqued. I hear you about a taste for our usual teas though. I definitely have my faves.

Tee, you would love these comments of someone. " Gallberry tea, within 40 minutes I have to go pray to the porcelain god".
http://www.eattheweeds.com/hol...
Enjoy your cuppa tea.
Regards,
Arif.