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← 2014 Botanical Advent Calendar – Day 2 – Viscum album
2014 Botanical Advent Calendar – Day 4 – Gold →

2014 Botanical Advent Calendar – Day 3 – Ilex

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Alastair Culham

3rd day of #AdventBotany – 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.

Botanical illustrations of <i>Ilex paraguariensis</i> (Mate) and <i>Ilex aquifolium</i> (Common Holly)

Botanical illustrations of Ilex paraguariensis (Mate) and Ilex aquifolium (Common Holly)

Common European Holly 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.

Wild-type Holly
Wild-type Holly
Yellow variegated leaves
Yellow variegated leaves
Yellow berries
Yellow berries

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.

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.

Estevao with calabash of mate
Estevao with calabash of mate
Calabash of yerba mate showing powdered leaf and bombilla
Calabash of yerba mate showing powdered leaf and bombilla

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

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About Alastair Culham

A professional botanist and biologist with an interest in promoting biological knowledge and awareness to all.
View all posts by Alastair Culham →
This entry was posted in Advent, Public Engagement with Science and tagged #AdventBotany. Bookmark the permalink.
← 2014 Botanical Advent Calendar – Day 2 – Viscum album
2014 Botanical Advent Calendar – Day 4 – Gold →
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Last reply was December 14, 2018
  1. Getting Ready for #AdventBotany – here’s a reprise of 2014 | Culham Research Group
    View December 3, 2015

    […] and juvenile forms Day 2 – Viscum album in Lyte’s Herball of 1578 Day 3 – Holly Ilex spp. Day 4 – Gold – A tiny test block of cold […]

    Reply
  2. Advent Botany 2015, Day1: Balsam Fir – a popular Christmas tree in Canada | Culham Research Group
    View December 3, 2015

    […] the United Kingdom, traditional Christmas greenery includes holly and ivy, but in Canada and the northeastern USA, balsam fir, eastern white cedar and red and white […]

    Reply
  3. Advent Botany 2015 – Day 23: Night of the Radishes | Culham Research Group
    View December 23, 2015

    […] you think about Christmas plants you probably think about holly and ivy, possibly Christmas trees and poinsettias, and maybe even Brussels sprouts and parsnips. […]

    Reply
  4. The Son of #AdventBotany 2015! | Dr M Goes Wild
    View December 24, 2015

    […] you think about Christmas plants you probably think about hollyand ivy, possibly Christmas trees and poinsettias, and maybe even Brussels sprouts and parsnips. But […]

    Reply
  5. #AdventBotany Day 8: Cultivating Christmas | Culham Research Group
    View December 8, 2017

    […] and appearances! After all, why should just the ivies (click here for the magnificent monograph), hollies and poinsettias have all the fun? Here’s a list of some of our dried and pressed cultivated […]

    Reply
  6. #AdventBotany Day 20: Holly | Culham Research Group
    View December 20, 2017

    […] images of holly are normally associated with the festive season, and are common on everything from bedding to […]

    Reply
  7. #AdventBotany Day 22: Put a cork in it | Culham Research Group
    View December 22, 2017

    […] contribute to this fine festive botanical blogging tradition. But what should I write about? Holly? Ivy?  All the usual suspects have already been covered –and excellently to boot. Maybe a glass […]

    Reply
  8. #AdventBotany 2018, Day 5 – Winterberry | Culham Research Group
    View December 5, 2018

    […] are familiar with the evergreen holly, Ilex aquifolium, that is used as a midwinter decoration because it is evergreen and shows the promise of new life […]

    Reply
  9. #AdventBotany 2018, Day 14: Toyon Story | Culham Research Group
    View December 14, 2018

    […] you grow holly in the balmy state of California? Yes, you can. Although common holly, Ilex aquifolium, comes from areas with higher rainfall than most of California, holly makes a good garden plant in […]

    Reply
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