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| Ilex aquifolium – Holly |
Ilex aquifolium commonly known as Holly Tree. It is probable
best known tree – since ancient times it has been connected with pre-Christianfestival and Christmas decoration. However, it is only locally common, mainly
in hedgerows or scattered throughout older traditional forests. It is one of
the smaller trees, although some specimens attain a height of 50 feet or even
more. It will tolerate shade. It can live 500 years, but usually does not reach 100.
The twigs are stout, bright green or purplish, and slightly
angled. The small winter buds are green and sharply pointed. The ovate leaves
are dark green above and pale green below, with a waxy or varnished surface,
and have a tough, leathery texture. Usually each leaf on the lower branches has
a series of sharp points along its margin, higher up, each leaf has but a
single point, right at the tip.
Very occasionally both sexes of flowers are found on one
tree. Those trees with only male flowers, of course never berry. The small
sweetly scented flowers of May and June are waxy white, lie in clusters in the
leaf axils, and have all their parts in fours. The male has four stamens and no
pistil. The female has four-lobed ovary surmounted by a four-parted style and stigma, and
rudimentary anthers. The well known decorative berries, green at first and
later crimson, contain three or more hard black seeds.
The bark is smooth and grey to greenish-grey. Over its
surface a darker network soon develops and the bark gets somewhat rough and
gnarled. The wood is ivory-white and of a fine even texture, hard and heavy. It
is well suited to turnery, inlaid work and carving. The tree is a useful hedge
plant, since it is evergreen and stands clipping well.
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