It is native to the Greater Antilles – Cuba, Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

[2] There are two accepted varieties:[2] Some consider the Puerto Rican population a separate species, Ilex sintenisii (Urb.)

Britton, while González-Gutiérrez (2007)[5] and Plants of the World Online consider I. sintenisii to be a synonym of I. obcordata var.

obcordata, which occurs on the islands of Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola in addition to Puerto Rico.

[6] There are only 150 individuals remaining in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico, restricted to Toro Negro State Forest.