holly

holly
/hol"ee/, n., pl. hollies.
1. any of numerous trees or shrubs of the genus Ilex, as I. opaca (American holly), the state tree of Delaware, or I. aquifolium (English holly), having glossy, spiny-toothed leaves, small, whitish flowers, and red berries.
2. the foliage and berries, used for decoration, esp. during the Christmas season.
[bef. 1150; ME holi(e), holyn, OE hole(g)n; c. Welsh celyn, Ir cuillean; akin to D, G hulst, F houx ( < OHG hulis)]

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Any of approximately 400 species of red-or black-berried ornamental shrubs and trees that make up the genus Ilex (family Aquifoliaceae), including the popular Christmas hollies.

English holly (I. aquifolium) bears shiny, spiny, dark, evergreen leaves; American holly (I. opaca) has oblong, prickly leaves; both have usually red fruits. There are spineless and yellow-fruited forms of both species.

American holly (Ilex opaca)

© Noble Proctor from the National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers

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▪ plant genus
 any of the shrubs and trees of the genus Ilex, in the family Aquifoliaceae, comprising about 400 species of red- or black-berried plants, including the popular Christmas hollies. They have alternate, simple leaves and single or clustered, small, usually greenish flowers (male and female being usually on separate plants). English holly (I. aquifolium), a tree growing to 15 m (nearly 50 feet) tall, bears shining, spiny, dark, evergreen leaves and usually red fruits. The somewhat taller American holly (I. opaca) has oblong, prickly leaves and usually red fruits. There are spineless and yellow-fruited forms of both species. Chinese holly (I. cornuta), from East Asia, a shrub reaching 3 m (10 feet), produces scarlet berries among shining, evergreen leaves. Japanese holly (I. crenata), an East Asian shrub growing to 6 m (20 feet), has small, evergreen leaves and black berries. Yaupon (I. vomitoria), a shrubby tree reaching 8 m (26 feet), bears oval leaves and red berries. It is native to eastern North America, as is the winterberry, or black alder (I. verticillata). Possum haw (I. decidua), also deciduous, bears red fruits on a shrub growing to 10 m (33 feet). Yerba maté (I. paraguariensis), a South American evergreen shrub, reaches 6 m; its leaves are used to make a popular caffeine-rich tea.

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Universalium. 2010.

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