Sarvis Holly is a rare endemic large shrub or small tree of the southeastern US that reaches its northern limit in southeastern North Carolina, where it is found along blackwater rivers and adjacent floodplains and in clay-based Carolina bays. In North Carolina it has been recorded in just 7 counties in the Coastal Plain.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

The deciduous dull pale green leaves are ovate and inconspicuously toothed.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Easy to overlook, in leaf, Sarvis Holly resembles a tupelo (Nyssa sp.) more than serviceberry (Amelanchier sp.).

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Leaf upperside detail. The leaves are almost entire, but you can see a few shallow teeth near the apex.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Leaf undersides are densely white-hairy.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Leaf underside detail, showing dense white hairs and reticulate veins. Young twigs and petioles are also white-hairy, but may become glabrous with age.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

The drupes are dull pinkish red and slightly glaucous.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Fruits with spider web.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

The bark of small stems is almost reddish brown.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

The bark of larger stems is grayer and often is colonized by lichens (like other hollies).

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

The bark of larger shrubs or trees is gray-brown with horizontally-elongated lenticels.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.