Short Description
The European holly is a small evergreen tree or shrub that can grow up to 10 m high.
The leaves are solitary, elliptical and pointed. They grow alternately on the branch. The upper side of the leaf is glossy dark green and the underside is light green.
The trunk is more or less upright and often strongly branched. The crown is conical and the bark greyish and smooth.
The flowers are white, four-toothed and clustered in leaf angles.
The fruits are berry-like and red.
Features
European holly
Ilex aquifolium
highly poisonous
red berries
oval, spiny leaves
Similar species
Mahonia aquifolium
In the city
It is very common in the undergrowth in parks and gardens.
It is often planted at cemeteries because its evergreen leaves symbolise eternity.
Fun Facts
It is an important food source, nesting site and shelter for various bird species.
As a symbol of eternal life, it was honoured in Europe by the Germanic tribes, the Romans and the Celts.
The fruit ripens from August to October.
Harry Potter's wand was made of holly wood.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethes walking stick was made of holly wood.
- Endangerment level Germany: not endangered
- Usage:
The plant is a popular ornamental plant and very popular as a Christmas decoration, especially in the USA and Great Britain.
Hollywood, the famous district of Los Angeles, is named after the holly tree.
The berries and leaves are highly poisonous. The consumption of 20-30 berries is fatal for an adult.
Sources
Habitus, H.Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ilex_aquifolium#/media/File:Ilex_aquifolium_001.JPG
Früchte, Sten Porse, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ilex_aquifolium#/media/File:Ilex-aquifolium.JPG
Blätter, L.Miguel Bugallo Sánchez, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ilex_aquifolium#/media/File:Acivro_Acebo.jpg
Quartier, A. (1989) Bäume und Sträucher, München: BLV.
Roth, L., Daunderer, M. & Kormann, K. (2008) Giftpflanzen - Pflanzengifte. Vorkommen, Wirkung, Therapie. Allergische und phototoxische Reaktionen, Hamburg: Nikol Verlag.
Page „Europäische Stechpalme“. : Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Date of last revision: 19.04.2016, 15:43 UTC. URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Europ%C3%A4ische_Stechpalme&oldid=153620867 (Accessed: 27.05.2016).