Holly, English holl, Christmas Holly, Common Holly, English Holly

Ilex aquifolium

Physical Characteristics

Ilex aquifolium is an evergreen Shrub growing to 9 m (29ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from November to March. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Distribution

Western and central Europe, including Britain, from Norway to Germany south to the Mediterranean.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Tea The leaves have been used as a tea substitute[4]. The roasted fruit has been used as a coffee substitute[7]. Some caution is advised here, since the fruit can be purgative and emetic[K].

Medicinal Uses

Astringent Bach Diaphoretic Diuretic Emetic Expectorant Febrifuge Purgative Holly is little used in modern herbalism. The leaves are diaphoretic, expectorant, febrifuge and tonic[4, 9, 21]. They can be use fresh at almost any time of the year or can be harvested in late spring and dried for later use[4, 9]. They are used in the treatment of intermittent fevers, rheumatism, catarrh, pleurisy etc[4, 238, 254]. The juice of the fresh leaves has been successfully used in the treatment of jaundice[4]. The berries are violently emetic and purgative[4, 7]. They have been used in the treatment of dropsy and as a powder they have been used as an astringent to check bleeding[4]. The berries are toxic, especially to children, and should not be used medicinally except under professional supervision[254]. The root has been used as a diuretic, though there are more effective diuretics available[7]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Hatred', 'Envy', 'Jealousy' and 'Suspicion'[209].

Known Hazards

The fruit and probaby other parts of the plant contain saponins and are toxic, causing diarrhoea, vomiting and stupor[10, 274]. However, toxicity levels are low and it is only in very large doses that problems are likely to arise[65, 76]. Do not exceed recommended doses. Fruits particularly poisonous to children [301].