Thursday, September 5, 2013

Ilex aquifolium – Holly


General Information
Common Name Holly
Scientific Name Ilex aquifolium
Sun Tolerance Full Sun
Height  10–15 m (33–50 ft)
Spread 4.5-6 m (15-20 ft)
Growth Rate Slow
Bloom Time Summer
Color Green
Flower Color White
Type Tree
Native Europe, western Asia, North-west Africa
Classification
Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass Rosidae
Order Celastrales
Family Aquifoliaceae – Holly family
Genus Ilex L. – holly
Species I. aquifolium

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.
The many decorative garden kinds of holly include trees with variegated leaves, smooth leaves only and yellow berries. The yellow-berried form is sometimes found growing wild. 


Ilex aquifolium – Holly

Ilex aquifolium – Holly

Ilex aquifolium – Holly : Leaves

Ilex aquifolium – Holly : Leaves

Ilex aquifolium – Holly

Ilex aquifolium – Holly : Flowers

Ilex aquifolium – Holly : Flowers & Fruits

Ilex aquifolium – Holly :  Fruits

Ilex aquifolium – Holly :  Fruits

Ilex aquifolium – Holly :  Fruits

Ilex aquifolium – Holly :  Flowers

Ilex aquifolium – Holly :  Fruits

Ilex aquifolium – Holly :  Fruits

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