Species of flowering plant in the family Aquifoliaceae
"Common holly" redirects here. For the Canadian musician, see Common Holly.
Ilex aquifolium
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Clade:
Tracheophytes
Clade:
Angiosperms
Clade:
Eudicots
Clade:
Asterids
Order:
Aquifoliales
Family:
Aquifoliaceae
Genus:
Ilex
Species:
I. aquifolium
Binomial name
Ilex aquifolium
Linnaeus
Distribution map of Ilex aquifolium
Ilex aquifolium
Ilex aquifolium, the holly, common holly, English holly, European holly, or occasionally Christmas holly, is a species of flowering plant in the family Aquifoliaceae, native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia.[2][3][4][5] It is regarded as the type species of the genus Ilex, which by association is also called "holly". It is an evergreen tree or shrub found, for example, in shady areas of forests of oak and in beech hedges. In the British Isles it is one of very few native hardwood evergreen trees. It has a great capacity to adapt to different conditions and is a pioneer species that repopulates the margins of forests or clearcuts.
I. aquifolium can exceed 10 m in height, but is often found at much smaller heights, typically 2–3 m (6.6–9.8 ft) tall and broad, with a straight trunk and pyramidal crown, branching from the base. It grows slowly and does not usually fully mature due to cutting or fire. It can live 500 years, but usually does not reach 100.
Ilex aquifolium is the species of holly long associated with Christmas, and previously the Roman festival of Saturnalia. Its glossy green prickly leaves and bright red berries (produced only by the female plant) are represented in wreaths, garlands and cards wherever Christmas is celebrated. It is a subject of music and folklore, especially in the British tradition. It is also a popular ornamental shrub or hedge, with numerous cultivars in a range of colours.
^Barstow, M.; Khela, S. (2018). "Ilex aquifolium". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T202963A68067360. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T202963A68067360.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^Flora Europaea: Ilex aquifolium
^Med-Checklist: Ilex aquifolium
^Rushforth, K. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. Collins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.
^Flora of NW Europe: Ilex aquifolium Archived 2009-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
Ilexaquifolium, the holly, common holly, English holly, European holly, or occasionally Christmas holly, is a species of flowering plant in the family...
species is Ilexaquifolium, the common European holly used in Christmas decorations and cards. The genus Ilex is divided into three subgenera: Ilex subg. Byronia...
epithet aquifolium denotes "sharp-leafed" (as in Ilexaquifolium, the common holly), referring to the spiny foliage.[citation needed] Berberis aquifolium is...
red berries, which are larger than those of the European Holly (Ilexaquifolium). Ilex cornuta is valued horticulturally for its attractive and distinctive...
osmanthus refers to the similarity in leaf shape to that of the holly (Ilexaquifolium), an example of convergent evolution with a common objective of deterring...
(distinctly less glossy than the otherwise fairly similar European holly, Ilexaquifolium), often pale yellow beneath; the edges are curved into several sharp...
of the genus Ilex) are dioecious. Each plant produces either functionally male flowers or functionally female flowers. In Ilexaquifolium (see the illustration)...
Madeiran Ilex perado (grown in a greenhouse) with the local native Ilexaquifolium. This hybrid and its offspring are still used as garden plants almost...
of woodland in the park: acidophilous oak woodland (Quercus petraea-Ilexaquifolium) on Devonian sandstone; moss-rich yew woodland (Taxus baccata) on Carboniferous...
are then called dioecious. An individual tree of the European holly (Ilexaquifolium) produces either 'male' flowers which have only functional stamens...
sylvatica 'Purpurea' (European purple beech) – a variant of the above Ilexaquifolium (European holly) – native to western and southern Europe, northwest...
family Agromyzidae, whose larvae burrow into leaves of the holly tree (Ilexaquifolium) leaving characteristic pale trails or leaf mines. Adults of P. ilicis...
connected to the Portuguese word "azevinho" meaning the European holly (Ilexaquifolium). Its Spanish equivalent is Acevedo or Acebedo, whose origin resides...
river basins, such as sweet bay (Laurus nobilis) and European holly (Ilexaquifolium), which are fairly widespread around the Mediterranean basin. Descendants...
altitude of 220 m (720 ft), where it was found growing on the leaves of Ilexaquifolium. The lichen, originally documented as occurring in the Mediterranean...
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