It is native to the southeastern and south-central United States, along the coastal plain from North Carolina to Texas, inland as far as Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

[3][4] Ilex ambigua is a large shrub or small tree up to 6 metres (20 ft) tall.

The branches are covered in shiny dark brown or black bark which becomes flaky with age.

[5] The species is dioecious, with male and female reproductive parts occurring on separate individuals.

[3] Ilex ambigua, grows in many types of sandy habitat, such as sand scrub and hammocks and hardwood forests and woodlands.