Common holly  (Ilex aquifolium)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

With its bright red berries (found only on female plants), and shiny evergreen leaves, the native holly tree has been a symbol of midwinter festivals since pre-Christian times (3). It grows as a shrub or tree, and has a narrow, conical crown and smooth silver-greyish bark (2). The fragrant male and female flowers are found on separate trees; they occur in clusters, and are white in colour (2). The dark green leaves are spiny, and have a waxy texture (4).

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