Holly

Additional Flower Resources Flower Power Flowering Shrubs

While the Holly Family (Aquifoliaceae) consists of a a handful of genera, most people recognize the pointed leaves and red berries associated with the shrubs and trees of the Ilex genus.

Close to forty different Ilex species are native to the Eastern United States, and English Holly (Ilex Aquifolium) has become naturalized in the wild along the West Coast.

The most common Ilex shrubs are associated with Christmas because the berries tend to be in bloom during the season and used for decorative purposes.

Birds also consume many different holly berries. Apart from decorative purposes, most holly plants should be left to the birds because they are considered mildly toxic to humans when ingested.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels