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Ilex aquifolium

Ilex aquifolium

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Plantae
Order
Aquifoliales
Family
Aquifoliaceae
Genus
Ilex
Species
ILEX AQUIFOLIUM
Synonyms
common holly, Christmas holly

Habitat / Home / Areal

It is the most widespread in Europe. It can often be found in Asia and in the north of Africa.

Botanical description

Habitus: An evergreen shrub with a pyramidal crown. It can grow up to 5 meters in height. It has a strong and well-branched root system. When young, the bark is thin, dark green and smooth, then it becomes silvery gray, while in old age it is dark gray and cracked.

Flower: Flowers are dioecious and unisexual, male and female flowers are on separate plants. The flowers are found in the axils of the leaves and are clustered in panicles. The flowers have sepals with 4 teeth, 4 stamens and a stunted carpel. They bloom in May and June. The fruits are bright little red berries, which ripen at the end of autumn and remain on the plant until spring. Each berry contains 4-5 hard seeds.

Leaves: Holly leaves are egg-shaped, 4-8 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, leathery, glossy and dark green on the face, light green and dull on the reverse. Young leaves are spiny-toothed, and older leaves are less spiny and have an entire edge. 

Growth conditions / Cultivation / Care

It can grow on various types of soil, it is best suited to calcareous and slightly acidic soils that are well drained and loose. It likes a temperate climate, but it can also be found in tropical and warmer climate zones. The continental climate with warm summers and mild winters suits it best. It tolerates dry periods well. It likes sunny places and shelter from wind.

Gallery

Use / Function and landscape

  • Solitary planting
  • Planting in groups
  • For tree rows
  • A fruit with an interesting shape for arranging

Special use

The leaves are collected to make tea and tinctures.

Reproduction

It is propagated by seeds and vegetatively. Cuttings for planting are taken during the summer from the parent plant.

Varieties

Ilex aquifolium Alaska

Ilex aquifolium Argentea Marginata

Ilex aquifolium Variegata

Ilex aquifolium Nellie Stevens

Diseases and pests

Diseases: root rot, tar spots

Pests: aphids, leaf miner, red spider mite