Habitat: Floodplain forests and swamps; less commonly in mesic flatwoods, hardpan forests, and depression swamps. Frequent to locally common in the s. and c. coastal Plain and s. and c. piedmont; infrequent to rare in Northern Virginia.
Wildlife value: It is a host plant for Henry's Elfin butterfly. Butterflies and other pollinators nectar at the blooms. Members of the genus Ilex supports specialized bees. Birds, deer and a variety of small mammals (including opossums as the common name suggests) are attracted to the fruit. Moderately resistant to damage from deer.
Notes: Suckering. Plants of this species are mostly dioecious (separate male and female plants), but some plants have perfect flowers (complete flowers with functioning stamens and pistils). For best show of berries, plant female plants, with at least one male plant to insure that pollination will take place. Prune to shape in early spring just before new growth begins