#AdventBotany 2020 Day 3 - Ilex or Holly

Ilex is the only genus in the family Aquifoliacaeae.

In Europe we know Holly (Ilex aquifolium) which is the third of our Christmas evergreens alongside Ivy and Mistletoe. Holly was brought in to houses in pagan times to keep evil out but was then adopted by Christians as a representative of the crown of thorns at Christ’s crucifixion. However there are around 400 different holly species and many do not have prickly leaves. Ilex paraguariensis is used to make the infusion Mate, the caffeine rich national drink of Argentina. In contrast, Ilex crenata is grown in Japan, China and Korea as a small decorative shrub used in complex topiary displays.

Two illustrations of Ilex species, the left with three leafy twigs and the detail of flowwers and fruits, the right a singly leafy twig, the leaves very spiky and twigs bearing red berries. — Botanical illustrations of Ilex paraguariensis (Mate) and Ilex aquifolium (Common Holly)

Common European Holly

Hiolly has numerous cultivars varying in the pricklyness of the leaves, colour of the berries and variegation of the leaves. Some cultivars are chosen to be extra pricly while others for their distinct lack of prickles. The photos below show three of the Hollies growing in the Harris Garden. Ilex aquifolium and several of its cultivars are RHS AGM plants.

one twig of wild-type holly with red berries — Wild-type holly with juvenile prickly leaves and bright red berries

one twig of variegated holly — variegated holly with yellow edged leaves and red berries

twig with numerous spiky leaves and yellow berries. — yellow berried cultivar of holly

A hybrid between I. aquifolium and the tender species I. perado from the Macaronesian islands was bred in 1835 just down the road from us at Highclere Castle and is known as Ilex x altaclerensis. It too has some good cultivars.

Holly contains theobromine, the same stimulant found in chocolate.

Yerba mate

In November 2017 I acted as PhD examiner to a student who brought along a cup of yerba mate to his viva voce to sustain him. Here he is with the well filled calabash of yerba mate. These are the dried leaves of Ilex paraguariensis.

Man in dark suit and red tie holding brown calabash of mate with silver straw — Estevao with calabash of mate

Brown calabash gourd with silver base and silver drinking straw — Calabash of yerba mate showing powdered leaf and bombilla

For five things you might not know about holly read Plant Life‘s blog.

For more #AdventBotany see our 2020 index page.