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Ilex
Also called Hollies
Ilex, or holly, is a genus of over 570 species of evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs and climbers found worldwide. Growing conditions vary by species, but most are grown as slow-growing garden shrubs or trees in sun to part shade.
Ilex () or holly is a genus of over 570 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. Ilex has the most species of any woody dioecious angiosperm genus. The species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide.
The type species is Ilex aquifolium, the common European holly used in Christmas decorations and cards. Aside, other hollies are desired for other purposes, like yerba mate and yaupon for the beverage made from their leaves.
Holly can contain caffeic acid, caffeoyl derivatives, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, quinic acid, kaempferol, tannins, rutin, caffeine, theobromine, and ilicin.
Holly berries can cause vomiting and diarrhea. They are especially dangerous in cases involving accidental consumption by children attracted to the bright red berries. Ingestion of over 20 berries may be fatal to children.
The genus is distributed throughout the world's different climates. Most species make their home in the tropics and subtropics, with a worldwide distribution in temperate zones. The greatest diversity of species is found in the Americas and in Southeast Asia.
English holly · Dahoon · Ilex chapaensis · Ilex chinensis · Large gallberry · Japanese holly · Marsh Holly · Possumhaw · Inkberry · Guayusa · Elegance female holly · Ilex kaushue
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Holly by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
