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Ilex () or holly is a genus of over 570 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. Ilex has the most species of any woody Dioecy angiosperm genus. The species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide. The type species is Ilex aquifolium, the common European holly used in Christmas decorations and cards.
The small of Ilex, although often referred to as berries, are technically drupes. They range in color from red to brown to black, and rarely green or yellow. The "bones" contain up to ten each. Some species produce fruits , such as the cultivar 'Nellie R. Stevens'. The fruits ripen in winter and thus provide winter colour contrast between the bright red of the fruits and the glossy green evergreen leaves. Hence the cut branches, especially of I. aquifolium, are widely used in Christmas decoration. The fruits are generally slightly poison to humans, and can cause vomiting and diarrhea when ingested. However, they are a food source for certain birds and other animals, which help disperse the seeds. Unfortunately this can have negative impacts as well. Along the west coast of North America, from California to British Columbia, English holly ( Ilex aquifolium), which is grown commercially, is quickly spreading into native forest habitat, where it thrives in shade and crowds out native species. It has been placed on the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board's monitor list, and is a Class C invasive plant in Portland.
The name "holly" in common speech refers to Ilex aquifolium, specifically stems with berries used in Christmas decoration. By extension, "holly" is also applied to the whole genus. The origin of the word "holly" is considered a reduced form of Old English hole(ġ)n,Middle English Holin, later Hollen.
Middle English Holin, later Hollen.T. F. Hoad, English Etymology, Oxford University Press, 1993 (), p. 218b. The French language word for holly, houx, derives from the Old Low Franconian *hulis (Middle Dutch huls). Both are related to Old High German hulis, huls,
as are Low German/Low Franconian terms like Hülse or hulst. These Germanic words appear to be related to words for holly in Celtic languages, such as Welsh language celyn, Breton language kelen(n) and Irish language cuileann.
Several Romance languages use the Latin word acrifolium, literally "sharp leaf" (turned into aquifolium in modern time), hence Italian agrifoglio, Occitan language grefuèlh, etc.
The fossil record indicates that the Ilex lineage was already widespread prior to the end of the Cretaceous period; the earliest records of the distinctive pollen of Ilex are from the Turonian of the Otway Basin of Australia. The earliest fossil holly fruit is known from the Maastrichtian of central Europe. Based on the molecular clock, the common ancestor of most of the extant species probably appeared during the Eocene, about 50million years ago, suggesting that older representatives of the genus belong to now extinct branches. Ilex sinica seems to be the most basal extant species. The laurel forest covered great areas of the Earth during the Paleogene, when the genus was more prosperous. This type of forest extended during the Neogene, more than 20million years ago. Most of the last remaining temperate broadleaf evergreen forests are believed to have disappeared about 10,000 years ago at the end of the Pleistocene. Many of the then-existing species with the strictest ecological requirements became extinct because they could not cross the barriers imposed by the geography, but others found refuge as a species relict in coastal enclaves, archipelagos, and coastal mountains sufficiently far from areas of extreme cold and aridity and protected by the oceanic influence.
Ilex mucronata, formerly the type species of Nemopanthus, is native plant to eastern North America. Nemopanthus was treated as a separate genus with eight species.Species PPP-index of the family Aquifoliaceae, now transferred to Ilex on molecular data;Powell, M., Savolainen, V., Cuénoud, P., Manen, J. F., & Andrews, S. (2000). The mountain holly ( Nemopanthus mucronatus: Aquifoliaceae) revisited with molecular data. Kew Bulletin 55: 341–347. it is closely related to Ilex amelanchier.
In Europe the genus is represented by a single species, the classically named holly Ilex aquifolium, and in continental Africa by this species and Ilex mitis. Ilex canariensis, from Macaronesia, and Ilex aquifolium arose from a common ancestor in the laurisilva of the Mediterranean. Australia, isolated at an early period, has Ilex arnhemensis. Of 204 species growing in China, 149 species are endemism. A species which stands out for its economic importance in Spanish-speaking countries and in Brazil is Ilex paraguariensis or Yerba mate. Having evolution numerous species that are endemism to islands and small mountain ranges, and being highly useful plants, many hollies are now becoming rare.
They are an extremely important food for numerous species of birds, and also are eaten by other wild animals. In the autumn and early winter the fruits are hard and apparently unpalatable. After being frozen or frosted several times, the fruits soften, and become milder in taste. During winter , often take refuge in hollies, which provide shelter, protection from (by the spiny leaves), and food. The flowers are sometimes eaten by the larva of the double-striped pug moth ( Gymnoscelis rufifasciata). Other Lepidoptera whose larvae feed on holly include Bucculatrix ilecella, which feeds exclusively on hollies, and the engrailed ( Ectropis crepuscularia).
Holly berries can cause vomiting and diarrhea. They are especially dangerous in cases involving accidental consumption by children attracted to the bright red berries. Ingestion of over 20 berries may be fatal to children.
Holly leaves, if eaten, might cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach and intestinal problems.
Holly plants might be toxic to pets and livestock.
Holly berries are fermented and distilled to produce an eau de vie.
In heraldry, holly is used to symbolize truth. The Norwegian municipality of Stord has a yellow twig of holly in its Coat-of-arms.
The Druids held that "leaves of holly offered protection against evil spirits" and thus "wore holly in their hair".
In the Harry Potter novels, holly is used as the wood in Harry's wand. (1999). 9780590353403, Levine Books. ISBN 9780590353403
In some traditions of Wicca, the Holly King is one of the faces of the Sun God. He is born at midsummer and rules from Mabon to Ostara.
In the Irish language, the words mac cuilinn mean 'son of holly'. Common anglicized forms of this arose; last names such as McCullen, McCullion, McQuillan, and MacCullion, which are quite common surnames in some areas.
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