Changes

Holly berries are somewhat{{Clarify|date=February 2010}} toxic and will cause vomiting and/or diarrhea when ingested by [[human|people]], partly due to the ilicin content.  The fatal dose is estimated to be around twenty berries for adults. However they are extremely important food for numerous species of [[bird]]s, and also are eaten by other wild animals. In the fall and early winter the berries are hard and apparently unpalatable. After being frozen or frosted several times, the berries soften, and become milder in taste. During winter [[storm]]s, [[bird]]s often take refuge in hollies, which provide shelter, protection from [[predator]]s (by the spiny leaves), and [[food]]. The flowers are sometimes eaten by the [[larva]] of the [[Double-striped Pug]] [[moth]] (''Gymnoscelis rufifasciata''). Other [[Lepidoptera]] whose larvae feed on holly include ''[[Bucculatrix ilecella]]'' (which feeds exclusively on hollies) and [[The Engrailed]] (''Ectropis crepuscularia''). Holly is commonly referenced at [[Christmas]] time.  Also see: [[wreath]] for information on how the holly plant is used in [[Christmas]] wreaths.

Holly berries are somewhat{{Clarify|date=February 2010}} toxic and will cause vomiting and/or diarrhea when ingested by [[human|people]], partly due to the ilicin content.  The fatal dose is estimated to be around twenty berries for adults. However they are extremely important food for numerous species of [[bird]]s, and also are eaten by other wild animals. In the fall and early winter the berries are hard and apparently unpalatable. After being frozen or frosted several times, the berries soften, and become milder in taste. During winter [[storm]]s, [[bird]]s often take refuge in hollies, which provide shelter, protection from [[predator]]s (by the spiny leaves), and [[food]]. The flowers are sometimes eaten by the [[larva]] of the [[Double-striped Pug]] [[moth]] (''Gymnoscelis rufifasciata''). Other [[Lepidoptera]] whose larvae feed on holly include ''[[Bucculatrix ilecella]]'' (which feeds exclusively on hollies) and [[The Engrailed]] (''Ectropis crepuscularia''). Holly is commonly referenced at [[Christmas]] time.  Also see: [[wreath]] for information on how the holly plant is used in [[Christmas]] wreaths.

Having [[evolution|evolved]] numerous species that are [[endemism|endemic]] to islands and small mountain ranges, and being highly useful plants, many hollies are now becoming rare. [[Tropical]] species are especially often threatened by [[habitat destruction]] and [[overexploitation]], and at least two have become [[extinct]], with numerous others barely surviving.<ref name=iucn>[[International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources]] (IUCN) (2007): ''2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species'': [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/search.php?freetext=ilex&modifier=phrase&criteria=wholedb&taxa_species=1&redlistCategory%5B%5D=all&country%5B%5D=all&cty_default=1&aquatic%5B%5D=all&aqu_default=1&regions%5B%5D=all&reg_default=1&habitats%5B%5D=all&threats%5B%5D=all&redlistAssessyear%5B%5D=all&growths%5B%5D=all ''Ilex'']</ref>

Having [[evolution|evolved]] numerous species that are [[endemism|endemic]] to islands and small mountain ranges, and being highly useful plants, many hollies are now becoming rare. [[Tropical]] species are especially often threatened by [[habitat destruction]] and [[overexploitation]], and at least two have become [[extinct]], with numerous others barely surviving.<ref name=iucn>[[International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources]] (IUCN) (2007): ''2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species'': [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/search.php?freetext=ilex&modifier=phrase&criteria=wholedb&taxa_species=1&redlistCategory%5B%5D=all&country%5B%5D=all&cty_default=1&aquatic%5B%5D=all&aqu_default=1&regions%5B%5D=all®_default=1&habitats%5B%5D=all&threats%5B%5D=all&redlistAssessyear%5B%5D=all&growths%5B%5D=all ''Ilex'']</ref>

{{Inc|

{{Inc|

Evergreen or deciduous trees or shrubs: lvs. alternate, petioled, with small, caducous stipules, sometimes spiny: fls. dioecious, usually in rather few-fld. axillary cymes; calyx-lobes, petals and stamens usually 4, sometimes more; ovary superior; style very short: fr. a berry-like drupe, with 2-8 bony 1-seeded stones.— About 275 species in N. and S. Amer., Trop. and Temp. Asia, and few in Afr., Austral, and Eu. Monograph by Loesener in Nov. Act. Leop.-Carol. Acad. 71, pt. 1 (1901). For a horticultural monograph, see Dalli- more, Holly, Yew and Box, pp. 1-149 (1909), with many illustrations.

Evergreen or deciduous trees or shrubs: lvs. alternate, petioled, with small, caducous stipules, sometimes spiny: fls. dioecious, usually in rather few-fld. axillary cymes; calyx-lobes, petals and stamens usually 4, sometimes more; ovary superior; style very short: fr. a berry-like drupe, with 2-8 bony 1-seeded stones.— About 275 species in N. and S. Amer., Trop. and Temp. Asia, and few in Afr., Austral, and Eu. Monograph by Loesener in Nov. Act. Leop.-Carol. Acad. 71, pt. 1 (1901). For a horticultural monograph, see Dalli- more, Holly, Yew and Box, pp. 1-149 (1909), with many illustrations.

The hollies have medium-sized, simple leaves, small, inconspicuous, whitish flowers in axillary clusters or solitary, and black, red or sometimes yellow berries, remaining on the branches often until the following spring. Of the evergreen species, only I. glabra and I. opaca are hardy North, and also I. crenata in somewhat sheltered positions. I. aquifolium, I. pernyi, and 7. cornuta are more tender, but stand many degrees of frost if sheltered, while most of the others can be grown only in the South. Of the deciduous species, I. decidua, I. monticola, I. laevigata and 7. I. verticillata are hardy North; also I. serrata and some other Japanese species are hardy or nearly so. The hollies, especially those with scarlet or red berries, are highly ornamental, and the berried branches of I. opaca and I. aquifolium are in great demand for Christmas decoration. Also I. laevigata and I. verticillata, the prettiest in fruit of the deciduous kinds, are sometimes sold for this purpose. The deciduous species are mostly shrubs, while many of the evergreen species grow into small or medium-sized trees, and I. opaca is the tallest of the broad-leaved evergreens which are hardy North and thrives even on extremely poor soil, and has good color also; the evergreens I. crenata, and I. glabra always remain shrubby. I. aquifolium is a favorite evergreen in English gardens, and numerous varieties are there in cultivation; it also grows well on the Pacific coast from British Columbia to California. It stands severe pruning well, and can be clipped and trained into almost every shape; it also makes fine hedges, but its slow growth is a disadvantage. As the chief value of the deciduous species is in the ornamental fruits, and the hollies are dioecious, care should be taken to choose in planting mostly pistillate plants and a few staminate ones and to give the former the most prominent place. The light, close-grained and tough wood of some of the arborescent species is much valued for turnery-work, engraving and cabinent-making. The leaves of some tropical species, as I. paraguariensis and 7. conocarpa, yield a kind of tea known as Yerba de Mate, or Paraguay tea, which is much used in South America. The hollies grow best in rich, well-drained soil, and the evergreen ones in partly shaded situations, but I. laevigata, I. verticillata and also I. serrata prefer moist places, and grow even in swamps. Most of the species grow slowly, and are not easily transplanted when older. The best tune for moving the evergreen species is the early fall, when the young wood has almost ripened, or in the spring just before the plants start into new growth. The leaves should be stripped on I. opaca and I. aquifolium when transplanted, particularly if at all exposed—or at least nearly all. This is absolutely necessary to insure success. Wild hollies may be handled this way with success, particularly if cut back as well. Propagation is by seeds, which do not germinate until the second year, and are therefore stratified and treated like those of the slow-growing hawthorns. The young seedlings should be transplanted^ after the second year. The evergreen species may be" increased by cuttings of ripened wood under glass, especially the shrubby ones; they are also sometimes grafted or budded on seedlings of I. aquifolium or I. opaca.}}

The hollies have medium-sized, simple leaves, small, inconspicuous, whitish flowers in axillary clusters or solitary, and black, red or sometimes yellow berries, remaining on the branches often until the following spring. Of the evergreen species, only I. glabra and I. opaca are hardy North, and also I. crenata in somewhat sheltered positions. I. aquifolium, I. pernyi, and 7. cornuta are more tender, but stand many degrees of frost if sheltered, while most of the others can be grown only in the South. Of the deciduous species, I. decidua, I. monticola, I. laevigata and 7. I. verticillata are hardy North; also I. serrata and some other Japanese species are hardy or nearly so. The hollies, especially those with scarlet or red berries, are highly ornamental, and the berried branches of I. opaca and I. aquifolium are in great demand for Christmas decoration. Also I. laevigata and I. verticillata, the prettiest in fruit of the deciduous kinds, are sometimes sold for this purpose. The deciduous species are mostly shrubs, while many of the evergreen species grow into small or medium-sized trees, and I. opaca is the tallest of the broad-leaved evergreens which are hardy North and thrives even on extremely poor soil, and has good color also; the evergreens I. crenata, and I. glabra always remain shrubby. I. aquifolium is a favorite evergreen in English gardens, and numerous varieties are there in cultivation; it also grows well on the Pacific coast from British Columbia to California. It stands severe pruning well, and can be clipped and trained into almost every shape; it also makes fine hedges, but its slow growth is a disadvantage. As the chief value of the deciduous species is in the ornamental fruits, and the hollies are dioecious, care should be taken to choose in planting mostly pistillate plants and a few staminate ones and to give the former the most prominent place. The light, close-grained and tough wood of some of the arborescent species is much valued for turnery-work, engraving and cabinent-making. The leaves of some tropical species, as I. paraguariensis and 7. conocarpa, yield a kind of tea known as Yerba de Mate, or Paraguay tea, which is much used in South America. The hollies grow best in rich, well-drained soil, and the evergreen ones in partly shaded situations, but I. laevigata, I. verticillata and also I. serrata prefer moist places, and grow even in swamps. Most of the species grow slowly, and are not easily transplanted when older. The best tune for moving the evergreen species is the early fall, when the young wood has almost ripened, or in the spring just before the plants start into new growth. The leaves should be stripped on I. opaca and I. aquifolium when transplanted, particularly if at all exposed—or at least nearly all. This is absolutely necessary to insure success. Wild hollies may be handled this way with success, particularly if cut back as well. Propagation is by seeds, which do not germinate until the second year, and are therefore stratified and treated like those of the slow-growing hawthorns. The young seedlings should be transplanted^ after the second year. The evergreen species may be" increased by cuttings of ripened wood under glass, especially the shrubby ones; they are also sometimes grafted or budded on seedlings of I. aquifolium or I. opaca.

 

}}

* ''[[Ilex × altaclarensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex × altaclarensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex altiplana]]''

* ''[[Ilex altiplana]]''

* ''[[Ilex amara]]'' &ndash; [[Caachira]]

* ''[[Ilex amara]]'' – [[Caachira]]

* ''[[Ilex ambigua]]'' &ndash; [[Sand Holly]]

* ''[[Ilex ambigua]]'' – [[Sand Holly]]

* ''[[Ilex amelanchier]]'' &ndash; Swamp Holly

* ''[[Ilex amelanchier]]'' – Swamp Holly

* ''[[Ilex anomala]]'' <small>[[Hook.]] & [[Arn.]]</small> &ndash; ''Kāwa{{okina}}u'' ([[Hawaii|Hawai{{okina}}i]])<ref>{{cite paper |url=http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/data/CommonTreesHI/CFT_Ilex_anomala.pdf |format=[[PDF]] |title=Kāwa{{okina}}u, Hawaiian holly |first=Elbert L. |last=Little Jr. |coauthors=Roger G. Skolmen |publisher=[[United States Forest Service]] |year=1989}}</ref>

* ''[[Ilex anomala]]'' <small>[[Hook.]] & [[Arn.]]</small> – ''Kāwa{{okina}}u'' ([[Hawaii|Hawai{{okina}}i]])<ref>{{cite paper |url=http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/data/CommonTreesHI/CFT_Ilex_anomala.pdf |format=[[PDF]] |title=Kāwa{{okina}}u, Hawaiian holly |first=Elbert L. |last=Little Jr. |coauthors=Roger G. Skolmen |publisher=[[United States Forest Service]] |year=1989}}</ref>

* ''[[Ilex anonoides]]''

* ''[[Ilex anonoides]]''

* ''[[Ilex aquifolium]]'' &ndash; European Holly, English Holly, Christ's Thorn

* ''[[Ilex aquifolium]]'' – European Holly, English Holly, Christ's Thorn

* ''[[Ilex aracamuniana]]''

* ''[[Ilex aracamuniana]]''

* ''[[Ilex argentina]]''

* ''[[Ilex argentina]]''

* ''[[Ilex brevipedicellata]]''

* ''[[Ilex brevipedicellata]]''

* ''[[Ilex buergeri]]''

* ''[[Ilex buergeri]]''

* ''[[Ilex canariensis]]'' &ndash; [[Small-leaved Holly]], Acebino

* ''[[Ilex canariensis]]'' – [[Small-leaved Holly]], Acebino

* ''[[Ilex caniensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex caniensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex cassine]]'' &ndash; Dahoon Holly, Cassena

* ''[[Ilex cassine]]'' – Dahoon Holly, Cassena

* ''[[Ilex centrochinensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex centrochinensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex cerasifolia]]''

* ''[[Ilex cerasifolia]]''

* ''[[Ilex collina]]''

* ''[[Ilex collina]]''

* ''[[Ilex conocarpa]]''

* ''[[Ilex conocarpa]]''

* ''[[Ilex cookii]]'' <small></small> &ndash; Cook's Holly ([[Puerto Rico]])

* ''[[Ilex cookii]]'' <small></small> – Cook's Holly ([[Puerto Rico]])

* ''[[Ilex corallina]]''

* ''[[Ilex corallina]]''

* ''[[Ilex coriacea]]'' &ndash; [[Gallberry]]<!-- see annotation in gallberry article source -->

* ''[[Ilex coriacea]]'' – [[Gallberry]]<!-- see annotation in gallberry article source -->

* ''[[Ilex cornuta]]'' &ndash; [[Chinese Holly]], Horned Holly

* ''[[Ilex cornuta]]'' – [[Chinese Holly]], Horned Holly

* ''[[Ilex costaricensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex costaricensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex cowanii]]''

* ''[[Ilex cowanii]]''

* ''[[Ilex crenata]]'' &ndash; Japanese Holly, Box-leaved Holly, ''inutsuge'' ([[Japanese (language)|Japanese]])

* ''[[Ilex crenata]]'' – Japanese Holly, Box-leaved Holly, ''inutsuge'' ([[Japanese (language)|Japanese]])

* ''[[Ilex crepitans]]''

* ''[[Ilex crepitans]]''

* ''[[Ilex cyrtura]]''

* ''[[Ilex cyrtura]]''

* ''[[Ilex dabieshanensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex dabieshanensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex davidsei]]''

* ''[[Ilex davidsei]]''

* ''[[Ilex decidua]]'' <small>Walter</small> &ndash; Possumhaw (Eastern United States, Northeastern [[Mexico]])

* ''[[Ilex decidua]]'' <small>Walter</small> – Possumhaw (Eastern United States, Northeastern [[Mexico]])

* ''[[Ilex dehongensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex dehongensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex dimorphophylla]]''

* ''[[Ilex dimorphophylla]]''

* ''[[Ilex diospyroides]]''

* ''[[Ilex diospyroides]]''

* ''[[Ilex dipyrena]]'' &ndash; [[Himalayan Holly]]

* ''[[Ilex dipyrena]]'' – [[Himalayan Holly]]

* ''[[Ilex dumosa]]''

* ''[[Ilex dumosa]]''

* ''[[Ilex ericoides]]''

* ''[[Ilex ericoides]]''

* ''[[Ilex gigantea]]''

* ''[[Ilex gigantea]]''

* ''[[Ilex glabella]]''

* ''[[Ilex glabella]]''

* ''[[Ilex glabra]]'' <small>L. A.Gray</small> &ndash; Evergreen Winterberry, Bitter Gallberry, Inkberry (Eastern North America)

* ''[[Ilex glabra]]'' <small>L. A.Gray</small> – Evergreen Winterberry, Bitter Gallberry, Inkberry (Eastern North America)

{{col-2-of-3}}

{{col-2-of-3}}

* ''[[Ilex gleasoniana]]''

* ''[[Ilex gleasoniana]]''

* ''[[Ilex grandiflora]]''

* ''[[Ilex grandiflora]]''

* ''[[Ilex guaiquinimae]]''

* ''[[Ilex guaiquinimae]]''

* ''[[Ilex guayusa]]'' &ndash; Guayusa

* ''[[Ilex guayusa]]'' – Guayusa

* ''[[Ilex guianensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex guianensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex harrisii]]''

* ''[[Ilex harrisii]]''

* ''[[Ilex illustris]]''

* ''[[Ilex illustris]]''

* ''[[Ilex integerrima]]''

* ''[[Ilex integerrima]]''

* ''[[Ilex integra]]'' &ndash; Mochi Tree, Nepal Holly

* ''[[Ilex integra]]'' – Mochi Tree, Nepal Holly

* ''[[Ilex intricata]]''

* ''[[Ilex intricata]]''

* ''[[Ilex jamaicana]]'' <small>Proctor</small> ([[Jamaica]])

* ''[[Ilex jamaicana]]'' <small>Proctor</small> ([[Jamaica]])

* ''[[Ilex kudingcha]]''

* ''[[Ilex kudingcha]]''

* ''[[Ilex kusanoi]]''

* ''[[Ilex kusanoi]]''

* ''[[Ilex laevigata|Ilex lævigata]]'' &ndash; Smooth Winterberry

* ''[[Ilex laevigata|Ilex lævigata]]'' – Smooth Winterberry

* ''[[Ilex lasseri]]''

* ''[[Ilex lasseri]]''

* ''[[Ilex latifolia]]'' &ndash; Tarajo Holly, ''tarayō'' (Japanese)

* ''[[Ilex latifolia]]'' – Tarajo Holly, ''tarayō'' (Japanese)

* ''[[Ilex lechleri]]''

* ''[[Ilex lechleri]]''

* ''[[Ilex leucoclada]]''

* ''[[Ilex leucoclada]]''

* ''[[Ilex microdonta]]''

* ''[[Ilex microdonta]]''

* ''[[Ilex mitis]]''

* ''[[Ilex mitis]]''

* ''[[Ilex montana]]'' <small>[[John Torrey|Torrey]] & [[Asa Gray|A.Gray]]</small> &ndash; Mountain Winterberry ([[Eastern United States]])

* ''[[Ilex montana]]'' <small>[[John Torrey|Torrey]] & [[Asa Gray|A.Gray]]</small> – Mountain Winterberry ([[Eastern United States]])

* ''[[Ilex mucronata]]'' <small>(L.) M.Powell, Savol., & S.Andrews</small> &ndash; Mountain Holly, Catberry (Eastern North America)

* ''[[Ilex mucronata]]'' <small>(L.) M.Powell, Savol., & S.Andrews</small> – Mountain Holly, Catberry (Eastern North America)

* ''[[Ilex myrtifolia]]'' &ndash; [[Myrtle Holly]], Myrtle Dahoon

* ''[[Ilex myrtifolia]]'' – [[Myrtle Holly]], Myrtle Dahoon

* ''[[Ilex neblinensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex neblinensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex nothofagifolia]]''

* ''[[Ilex nothofagifolia]]''

* ''[[Ilex oblonga]]''

* ''[[Ilex oblonga]]''

* ''[[Ilex occulta]]''

* ''[[Ilex occulta]]''

* ''[[Ilex opaca]]'' &ndash; American Holly (Eastern United States)

* ''[[Ilex opaca]]'' – American Holly (Eastern United States)

* ''[[Ilex ovalifolia]]''

* ''[[Ilex ovalifolia]]''

* ''[[Ilex palawanica]]''

* ''[[Ilex palawanica]]''

* ''[[Ilex pallida]]''

* ''[[Ilex pallida]]''

* ''[[Ilex paraguariensis]]'' &ndash; [[Yerba maté|Maté]], [[yerba maté]], ''erva-mate'' (Portuguese)

* ''[[Ilex paraguariensis]]'' – [[Yerba maté|Maté]], [[yerba maté]], ''erva-mate'' (Portuguese)

* ''[[Ilex parvifructa]]''

* ''[[Ilex parvifructa]]''

* ''[[Ilex patens]]''

* ''[[Ilex patens]]''

* ''[[Ilex pedunculosa]]''

* ''[[Ilex pedunculosa]]''

* ''[[Ilex peiradena]]''

* ''[[Ilex peiradena]]''

* ''[[Ilex perado]]'' &ndash; [[Madeiran Holly]]

* ''[[Ilex perado]]'' – [[Madeiran Holly]]

* ''[[Ilex perlata]]''

* ''[[Ilex perlata]]''

* ''[[Ilex pernyi]]'' &ndash; [[Perny's Holly]]

* ''[[Ilex pernyi]]'' – [[Perny's Holly]]

* ''[[Ilex polita]]''

* ''[[Ilex polita]]''

* ''[[Ilex praetermissa]]''

* ''[[Ilex praetermissa]]''

* ''[[Ilex rugosa]]''

* ''[[Ilex rugosa]]''

* ''[[Ilex sclerophylla]]''

* ''[[Ilex sclerophylla]]''

* ''[[Ilex serrata]]'' &ndash; [[Japanese Winterberry]]

* ''[[Ilex serrata]]'' – [[Japanese Winterberry]]

* ''[[Ilex sessilifructa]]''

* ''[[Ilex sessilifructa]]''

* ''[[Ilex shimeica]]''

* ''[[Ilex shimeica]]''

* ''[[Ilex sikkimensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex sikkimensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex sintenisii]]'' <small>(Urban) Britt.</small> &ndash; Sintenis' Holly ([[Puerto Rico]])

* ''[[Ilex sintenisii]]'' <small>(Urban) Britt.</small> – Sintenis' Holly ([[Puerto Rico]])

* ''[[Ilex sipapoana]]''

* ''[[Ilex sipapoana]]''

* ''[[Ilex socorroensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex socorroensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex venulosa]]''

* ''[[Ilex venulosa]]''

* ''[[Ilex verticillata]]'' <small>([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Asa Gray|A.Gray]]</small> American Winterberry (Eastern North America)<!-- I have removed an excessively long list of ambiguous common names --~~~~-->

* ''[[Ilex verticillata]]'' <small>([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Asa Gray|A.Gray]]</small> American Winterberry (Eastern North America)<!-- I have removed an excessively long list of ambiguous common names --~~~~-->

* ''[[Ilex vomitoria]]'' &ndash; Yaupon Holly, ''casseena'' ([[Spanish (language)|Spanish]])

* ''[[Ilex vomitoria]]'' – Yaupon Holly, ''casseena'' ([[Spanish (language)|Spanish]])

* ''[[Ilex vulcanicola]]''

* ''[[Ilex vulcanicola]]''

* ''[[Ilex wenchowensis]]''

* ''[[Ilex wenchowensis]]''