Ilex aquifolium L.
Frost hardy, usually erect, dense, pyramidal or oblong, evergreen shrub or tree, with glossy, dark green, leaves with spine-toothed or spiny margins, and long-lasting red, orange or yellow berries in autumn and winter. To 25m. [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Although not a native, it has been cultivated in England since ancient times. ‘The Holly-Tree. Aquifolium. This tree grows to be pretty large; the leaves are a deep green, the flowers yellowish, and the berries red. It grows wild in the warm countries, and flowers in the spring. From this tree is made our bird-lime, which is a powerful attractive and good to ripen hard tumours & swellings; & is an ingredient of ye Emplastrum Diachilon magnum.’ [Blackwell pl.205/1737].
History at Camden Park
Listed in all published catalogues [T.569/1843].
Notes
Ilex aquifolium Lour. (1790) = Ilex loureirei Steud. From China
Ilex aquifolium Marsh. = Ilex quercifolia Meerb.
Bird lime was an important aspect of hunting in European country communities. It is made from a variety of plant material depending on region, but in England it was customarily made from the pounded and fermented bark of the holly tree. This use is unlikely to have been the reason for its introduction by William Macarthur but it cannot be discounted.
Published Mar 18, 2009 - 04:46 PM | Last updated Mar 21, 2010 - 04:51 PM
Ilex aquifolium L. | Blackwell pl.205/1737 | BHL
| Family | Aquifoliaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Europe, north Africa, west Asia |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Common holly, English holly |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Ilex aquifolium - Holly |
| Confidence level | high |