This evergreen species of holly is native to the eastern United States. It is found from the coast of Maine, south to Florida and then west to southeastern Missouri and eastern Texas.  It is a medium-sized evergreen tree that normally 10-20 meters tall, but is sometimes larger. The bark is light gray with small warty lumps. The twigs are smooth and brown.

The leaves alternate on the stem and are 5-7.5 centimeters long. They are broad and stiff with curved edges and several sharp spiky points. The flowers are greenish white and small and bloom in late spring. There are separate male and female plants, so berries will only grow on female plants. The berry is a small red drupe containing four seeds. They are reputedly poisonous to humans but an important food source for birds during the autumn and winter. These often persist into the winter.

American holly grows as an understory in the forest and at the northern edge of its range is often a small shrub. The holly has been widely cultivated as an ornamental plant and the leaves and berries are a popular winter and Christmas holiday decoration. The similar European holly has darker green and glossier leaves.