Small-leaved holly  (Ilex canariensis)

The small-leaved holly is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The small-leaved holly (Ilex canariensis) is a small tree endemic to the Macaronesian islands in the North Atlantic (2). The bark is greyish, and, like other hollies, the leathery leaves are dark green above and pale green below (3) (4). The flowers are small and white, and the fruit is a fleshy red berry (2) (4).

The small-leaved holly is restricted to the Canary Islands (Spain) and Madeira (Portugal), off the coast of northwest Africa (1).

The small-leaved holly is found at lower altitudes in scrub and evergreen laurel forest (laurisilva) (1).

The small-leaved holly produces fruit all year round, but mainly between December and May. Several different bird species are to known to consume the fruit and disperse the intact seeds in their droppings (2).

Uncontrolled grazing and fires are exerting the greatest pressure on the small-leaved holly’s remaining habitat (1), while introduced rats on the Canary Islands may be having a negative impact on the survival of its seeds (2).

The small-leaved holly is known to occur within several protected areas (1), including the Laurisilva of Madeira UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was designated in 1999 to protect the largest surviving area of laurel forest (5).

For more information on the Laurisilva of Madeira World Heritage Site:

• UNESCO World Heritage – Laurisilva of Madeira:
  http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/934