Holly - wikipedia Holly `` Ilex '' redirects here. For other uses, see Holly ( disambiguation ) and Ilex ( disambiguation ). Not to be confused with Holy. Ilex European Holly ( Ilex aquifolium ) leaves and fruit Scientific classification Kingdom : Plantae Clade : Angiosperms Clade : Eudicots Clade : Asterids Order : Aquifoliales Family : Aquifoliaceae DC. ex A. Rich. Genus : Ilex L. Species About 600, see text Ilex / ˈaɪlɛks /, or holly, is a genus of 400 to 600 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. The species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide. Contents 1 Description 2 Etymology 3 History 4 Range 5 Ecology 6 Toxicity 7 Usage 8 Ornamental use 9 Culture 10 Selected species 11 Gallery 12 References 13 External links Description Ilex paraguariensis The genus Ilex is widespread throughout the temperate and subtropical regions of the world. It includes species of trees, shrubs, and climbers, with evergreen or deciduous foliage and inconspicuous flowers. Its range was more extended in the Tertiary period and many species are adapted to laurel forest habitat. It occurs from sea level to more than 2,000 metres ( 6,600 ft ) with high mountain species. It is a genus of small, evergreen trees with smooth, glabrous, or pubescent branchlets. The plants are generally slow - growing with some species growing to 25 m ( 82 ft ) tall. The type species is the European holly Ilex aquifolium described by Linnaeus. Plants in this genus have simple, alternate glossy leaves, frequently with a spiny leaf margin. The inconspicuous flower is greenish white, with four petals. They are generally dioecious, with male and female flowers on different plants. The small fruits 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 seeds each. Some species produce fruits parthenogenetically, 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 toxic to humans, and can cause vomiting and diarrhea when ingested. However, they are an important food source for 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. Etymology Ilex in Latin means the holm - oak or evergreen oak ( Quercus ilex ). Despite the Linnaean classification of Ilex as holly, as late as the 19th century in Britain, the term Ilex was still being applied to the oak as well as the holly -- possibly due to the superficial similarity of the leaves. 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. The French 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 celyn, Breton kelen ( n ) and Irish cuileann. Several Romance languages use the Latin word acrifolium ( turned into aquifolium in modern time ), so Italian agrifoglio, Occitan grefuèlh, etc. History Hollies ( here, Ilex aquifolium ) are dioecious : ( above ) shoot with flowers from male plant ; ( top right ) male flower enlarged from female plant ; ( lower right ) female flower enlarged, showing stamen and reduced, sterile stamens with no pollen. The phylogeography of this group provides examples of various speciation mechanisms at work. In this scenario ancestors of this group became isolated from the remaining Ilex when the Earth mass broke away into Gondwana and Laurasia about 82 million years ago, resulting in a physical separation of the groups and beginning a process of change to adapt to new conditions. This mechanism is called allopatric speciation. Over time, survivor species of the holly genus adapted to different ecological niches. This led to reproductive isolation, an example of ecological speciation. In the Pliocene, around five million years ago, mountain formation diversified the landscape and provided new opportunities for speciation within the genus. The fossil record indicates that the Ilex lineage was already widespread prior to the end of the Cretaceous period. Based on the molecular clock, the common ancestor of most of the extant species probably appeared during the Eocene, about 50 million years ago, suggesting that older representatives of the genus belong to now extinct branches. 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 20 million years ago. Most of the last remaining temperate 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. The genus includes about 400 to 600 species, divided into three subgenera : Ilex subg. Byronia, with the type species Ilex polypyrena Ilex subg. Prinos, with 12 species Ilex subg. Ilex, with the rest of the over 400 species Range The genus is distributed throughout the world 's different climates. Most species make their home in the tropics and subtropics, with a worldwide distribution in temperate zones. The greatest diversity of species is found in the Americas and in Southeast Asia. Ilex mucronata, formerly the type species of Nemopanthus, is native to eastern North America. Nemopanthus was treated as a separate genus with eight species. of the family Aquifoliaceae, now transferred to Ilex on molecular data ; 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 laurel forests of the Mediterranean. Australia, isolated at an early period, has ( Ilex arnhemensis ). Of 204 species growing in China, 149 species are endemic. A species which stands out for its economic importance in Spanish - speaking countries is Ilex paraguariensis or Yerba mate. Having evolved numerous species that are endemic to islands and small mountain ranges, and being highly useful plants, many hollies are now becoming rare. Ecology Often the tropical species are especially threatened by habitat destruction and overexploitation. At least two species of Ilex have become extinct recently, and many others are barely surviving. They are 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 storms, birds often take refuge in hollies, which provide shelter, protection from predators ( 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 ). Toxicity Holly can contain caffeic acid, caffeoyl derivatives, caffeoylshikimic acid, chlorogenic acid, feruloylquinic acid, quercetin, quinic acid, kaempferol, tannins, rutin, caffeine, and theobromine. Holly berries can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. 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. Usage Leaves of some holly species are used by some cultures to make daily tea. These species are Yerba mate ( I. paraguariensis ), Ilex guayusa, Kuding ( Ilex kaushue ), Yaupon ( I. vomitoria ) and others. Leaves of other species, such as gallberry ( I. glabra ) are bitter and emetic. In general little is known about inter-species variation in constituents or toxicity of hollies. Ornamental use Many of the holly species are widely used as ornamental plants in temperate / European gardens and parks, notably : I. aquifolium ( common European holly ) I. crenata ( box - leaved holly ) I. verticillata ( winterberry ) Moreover, many hundreds of hybrids and cultivars have been developed for garden use, among them the very popular `` Highclere holly '', Ilex × altaclerensis ( I. aquifolium × I. perado ) and the `` blue holly '', Ilex × meserveae ( I. aquifolium × I. rugosa ). The cultivar I. × meserveae Blue Prince = ' Conablu ' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society 's Award of Garden Merit. Hollies are often used for hedges ; the spiny leaves make them difficult to penetrate, and they take well to pruning and shaping. Culture Traditional Christmas card with holly and mistletoe. Circa 1880s Holly -- more specifically the European holly, Ilex aquifolium -- is commonly referenced at Christmas time, and is often referred to by the name Christ 's thorn. In many Western Christian cultures, holly is a traditional Christmas decoration, used especially in wreaths and illustrations, for instance on Christmas cards. Since medieval times the plant has carried a Christian symbolism, as expressed in the well - known Christian Christmas carol `` The Holly and the Ivy '', in which the holly represents Jesus and the ivy represents the Virgin Mary. Angie Mostellar discusses the Christian use of holly at Christmas, stating that : Christians have identified a wealth of symbolism in its form. The sharpness of the leaves help to recall the crown of thorns worn by Jesus ; the red berries serve as a reminder of the drops of blood that were shed for salvation ; and the shape of the leaves, which resemble flames, can serve to reveal God 's burning love for His people. Combined with the fact that holly maintains its bright colors during the Christmas season, it naturally came to be associated with the Christian holiday. 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. 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. Selected species Ilex abscondita Ilex aculeolata Ilex acutidenticulata Ilex affinis Ilex aggregata Ilex × altaclarensis Ilex altiplana Ilex amazonensis -- Ilex ambigua -- Sand holly Ilex amboroica Ilex amelanchier Ilex amygdalina Ilex andicola Ilex angulata Ilex anodonta Ilex anomala Hook. & Arn. -- Kāwa ʻu ( Hawai ʻi ) Ilex anonoides Ilex apicidens Ilex aquifolium -- European holly, English holly, Christ 's thorn Ilex aracamuniana Ilex archeri Ilex ardisiifrons Ilex argentina Ilex arimensis Ilex arisanensis Ilex arnhemensis Ilex asprella Ilex atabapoensis Ilex atrata Ilex auriculata Ilex austrosinensis Ilex belizensis Ilex berteroi Ilex bidens Ilex bioritsensis Ilex blanchetii Ilex boliviana Ilex brachyphylla Ilex brandegeeana Ilex brasiliensis Ilex brevicuspis Ilex brevipedicellata Ilex buergeri Ilex buxoides Ilex canariensis Ilex caniensis Ilex casiquiarensis Ilex cassine -- Dahoon holly, cassena Ilex cauliflora Ilex centrochinensis Ilex cerasifolia Ilex chamaebuxus Ilex chamaedryfolia Ilex championii Ilex chapaensis Ilex chartaceifolia Ilex chengbuensis Ilex chengkouensis Ilex cheniana Ilex chinensis Ilex chingiana Ilex chiriquensis Ilex chuniana Ilex ciliolata Ilex ciliospinosa Ilex cinerea Ilex clementis Ilex cochinchinensis Ilex colchica Ilex collina Ilex colombiana Ilex condensata Ilex confertiflora Ilex conocarpa Ilex cookii Ilex corallina Ilex coriacea -- Gallberry Ilex cornuta -- Chinese holly, horned holly Ilex costaricensis Ilex cowanii Ilex crenata -- Japanese holly, box - leaved holly, inutsuge ( Japanese ) Ilex cubana Ilex culmenicola Ilex cupreonitens Ilex curtissii Ilex cuzcoana Ilex cyrtura Ilex dabieshanensis Ilex danielis Ilex daphnogenea Ilex dasyclada Ilex dasyphylla Ilex davidsei Ilex decidua Walter -- Possumhaw ( Eastern United States, Northeastern Mexico ) Ilex dehongensis Ilex delavayi Ilex denticulata Ilex dianguiensis Ilex dicarpa Ilex dimorphophylla Ilex dioica Ilex diospyroides Ilex dipyrena -- Himalayan holly Ilex dicolor Ilex diuretica Ilex divaricata Ilex dolichopoda Ilex dubia Ilex dugesii Ilex duidae Ilex dumosa Ilex dunniana Ilex editicostata Ilex elliptica Ilex elmerrilliana Ilex embelioides Ilex ericoides Ilex eoa Ilex ericoides Ilex estriata Ilex euryoides Ilex excelsa Ilex fargesii Ilex fengqingensis Ilex ficifolia Ilex ficoidea Ilex florifera Ilex formosana Ilex forrestii Ilex fragilis Ilex franchetiana Ilex fukeinensis Ilex gabinetensis Ilex gabrielleana Ilex gardneriana ( extinct : 20th century ? ) Ilex georgei Ilex gintungensis Ilex glabella Ilex glabra L.A. Gray -- Evergreen winterberry, bitter gallberry, inkberry ( Eastern North America ) Ilex glaucophylla Ilex gleasoniana Ilex glomerata Ilex godajam Ilex goshiensis Ilex graciliflora Ilex gracilis Ilex grandiflora Ilex gransabanensis Ilex guaiquinimae Ilex guangnanensis Ilex guayusa -- Guayusa Ilex guianensis Ilex guizhouensis Ilex gundlachiana Ilex haberi Ilex hainanensis Ilex hanceana Ilex harrisii Ilex hayatana Ilex hemiepiphytica Ilex hippocrateoides Ilex hirsuta Ilex holstii Ilex hookeri Ilex huachamacariana Ilex hualgayoca Ilex huana Ilex hylonoma Ilex hypaneura Ilex hyreana Ilex ignicola Ilex illustris Ilex integerrima Ilex integra -- Mochi tree, Nepal holly Ilex intricata Ilex inundata Ilex jamaicana Proctor ( Jamaica ) Ilex jauaensis Ilex jelskii Ilex karuaiana Ilex khasiana Ilex kingiana Ilex kudingcha Ilex kusanoi Ilex laevigata -- Smooth winterberry Ilex lasseri Ilex latifolia -- Tarajo holly, tarayō ( Japanese ) Ilex lechleri Ilex leucoclada Ilex longipes Ilex longzhouensis Ilex machilifolia Ilex maclurei Ilex macoucoua Ilex macrocarpa Ilex macropoda Ilex magnifructa Ilex maingayi Ilex marahuacae Ilex marginata Ilex margratesavage Ilex mathewsii Ilex × meserveae Ilex microdonta Ilex mitis Ilex montana Torrey & A. Gray -- Mountain winterberry ( Eastern United States ) Ilex mucronata ( L. ) M. Powell, Savol., & S. Andrews -- Mountain holly, catberry ( Eastern North America ) Ilex myrtifolia -- Myrtle holly, Myrtle dahoon Ilex neblinensis Ilex nothofagifolia Ilex oblonga Ilex occulta Ilex opaca -- American holly ( Eastern United States ) Ilex ovalifolia Ilex palawanica Ilex pallida Ilex paraguariensis -- Yerba mate ( mate, erva - mate ) Ilex parvifructa Ilex patens Ilex pauciflora Ilex paujiensis Ilex pedunculosa -- Longstalked holly Ilex peiradena Ilex perado -- Madeiran holly Ilex perlata Ilex pernyi -- Perny 's holly Ilex polita Ilex praetermissa Ilex pringlei Ilex pseudobuxus Ilex puberula Ilex pubescens Ilex purpurea Ilex qianlingshanensis Ilex quercetorum Ilex quercifolia Ilex rarasanensis Ilex reticulata Ilex rotunda Ilex rugosa Ilex sclerophylla Ilex serrata -- Japanese winterberry Ilex sessilifructa Ilex shimeica Ilex sikkimensis Ilex sintenisii ( Urban ) Britt. -- Sintenis ' holly ( Puerto Rico ) Ilex sipapoana Ilex socorroensis Ilex spinigera Ilex spruceana Ilex steyermarkii Ilex subrotundifolia Ilex subtriflora Ilex sugerokii Ilex sulcata Ilex syzygiophylla Ilex tahanensis Ilex tarapotina Ilex tateana Ilex taubertiana Ilex ternatiflora ( extinct : 20th century ? ) Ilex theezans Ilex tiricae Ilex tolucana Ilex trachyphylla Ilex trichocarpa Ilex tugitakayamensis Ilex uraiensis Ilex urbaniana -- Urban 's holly Ilex vaccinoides Ilex venezuelensis Ilex venulosa Ilex verticillata ( L. ) A. Gray American winterberry ( Eastern North America ) Ilex vomitoria -- Yaupon holly, casseena ( Spanish ) Ilex vulcanicola Ilex walkeri Ilex wenchowensis Ilex williamsii Ilex wilsonii Ilex yunnanensis Ilex wugonshanensis Ilex yuiana Gallery Ilex anomala A contorted hedgehog holly Ilex aquifolium ' Ferox ' Ilex chinensis Ilex pedunculosa Ilex rotunda Ilex yunnanensis Ilex × meserveae Ilex pernyi from west China. References Jump up ^ Sunset Western Garden Book 1995 : 606 -- 607 Jump up ^ `` Index Nominum Genericorum ''. Smithsonian Institution. 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Kew Plants and Fungi ''. 11 April 2012. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` Noxious Weed Control Board ( NWCB ) - WA State - Weed Detail Page ''. wa.gov. Archived from the original on 26 July 2015. Jump up ^ `` English Holly ''. Invasive Species Week. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Jump up ^ `` Cal - IPC : Ilex aquifolium ''. cal-ipc.org. Archived from the original on 5 June 2008. Jump up ^ https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/34460?a=322280 Jump up ^ Shorter Oxford English dictionary, 6th ed. United Kingdom : Oxford University Press. 2007. p. 3804. ISBN 0199206872. Jump up ^ Abbe, Elfriede Martha ( 1965 ). The plants of Virgil 's Georgics. Cornell University Press. p. 88. Jump up ^ Middle English Holin, later Hollen. Skeat, Walter William ( 1887 ). Principles of English etymology, Volume 1. London, U.K. : Clarendon Press. p. 371. Jump up ^ T.F. Hoad, English Etymology, Oxford University Press, 1993 ( ISBN 0 - 19 - 283098 - 8 ), p. 218b. Jump up ^ Skeat, Walter William ( 2005 ). A Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language. Cosimo, Inc. p. 244. ISBN 978 - 1 - 59605 - 092 - 1. Jump up ^ `` HOUX : Etymologie de HOUX ''. cnrtl.fr. Jump up ^ Pick, Edward ( 1869 ). An etymological dictionary of the French language. Murray. p. 106. Jump up ^ Skeat, Walter William ( 1882 ). An etymological dictionary of the English language. Clarendon Press. p. 269. Jump up ^ Nettleship, Henry ( 1889 ). Contributions to Latin lexicography. Clarendon Press. p. 27. Jump up ^ Loizeau, P. - A. ; Barriera G. ; Manen J. - F. ; Broennimann O. ( 2005 ). `` Towards an understanding of Ilex L. ( Aquifoliaceae ) on a World - wide scale ''. In Friis I. ; Balslev H. Plant diversity and complexity patterns : local, regional, and global dimensions : proceedings of an international symposium held at the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters in Copenhagen, Denmark, 25 -- 28 May 2003. Biologiske skrifter. 55. Kongelige Danske videnskabernes selskab. pp. 507 -- 517. ISBN 978 - 87 - 7304 - 304 - 2. Retrieved 9 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` Ilex mucronata ''. Germplasm Resources Information Network ( GRIN ). Agricultural Research Service ( ARS ), United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ). Retrieved 11 December 2017. Jump up ^ Species PPP - index Jump up ^ Powell, M., Savolainen, V., Cuénod, P., Manen, J.F., & Andrews, S. ( 2000 ). The mountain holly ( Nemopanthus mucronatus : Aquifoliaceae ) revisited with molecular data. Kew Bulletin 55 : 341 -- 347. Jump up ^ Alexandra M. Gottlieb ; Gustavo C. Giberti ; Lidia Poggio ( 2005 ). `` Molecular analyses of the genus Ilex ( Aquifoliaceae ) in southern South America, evidence from AFLP and ITS sequence data ''. American Journal of Botany. 92 ( 2 ) : 352 -- 369. doi : 10.3732 / ajb. 92.2. 352. JSTOR 4123880. PMID 21652411. Jump up ^ International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ( IUCN ) ( 2007 ) : 2007IUCN Red List of Threatened Species : Ilex ) Jump up ^ Kellie P. Burris ; Federico M. Harte ; P. Michael Davidson ; C. Neal Stewart Jr ; Svetlana Zivanovic ( 2012 ). `` Composition and bioactive properties of yerba mate ( Ilex paraguariensis A. St. - Hil. ) : A review ''. Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research. 72 ( 2 ) : 268 -- 274. ^ Jump up to : `` Toxicity of Holly ''. Retrieved 3 March 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Holly ''. webmd.com. Retrieved 3 March 2014. Jump up ^ `` American Holly ''. aspca. Retrieved 3 March 2014. Jump up ^ Austin, Daniel F. ( 2004 ). Florida Ethnobotany. CRC Press. p. 363. Jump up ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom : Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964. Jump up ^ Huxley, A., ed. ( 1992 ). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0 - 333 - 47494 - 5. Jump up ^ `` RHS Plantfinder - Ilex × meserveae Blue Prince = ' Conablu ' ''. Retrieved 9 March 2018. Jump up ^ `` AGM Plants - Ornamental '' ( PDF ). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 52. Retrieved 2 March 2018. Jump up ^ Northumbria Police : Security starts at the Garden Gate Jump up ^ Sanford Niles, ed. ( 1895 ). Christmas History and Customs. School Education Company. p. 24. In Germany and Scandinavia the holly, or holy tree, is called `` Christ 's thorn, '' from its use in church decorations, and because it bears berries at Christmas - tide. ^ Jump up to : Mosteller, Angie ( 2008 ). Christmas. Itasca Books. pp. 86 -- 87, 89. ISBN 9781607910084. Jump up ^ Ciesla, William M. ( 2002 ). Non-wood Forest Products from Temperate Broad - leaved Trees. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. p. 13. ISBN 9789251048559. Holly is still a popular Christmas decoration among Christian cultures. Jump up ^ Struthers, Jane ( 4 October 2010 ). The Book of Christmas. Ebury Publishing. p. 218. ISBN 9781448148936. The British native holly ( Ilex aquifolim ) has tremendous religious significance at Christmas. Its prickly leave are evocative of the crown of thorns that was placed on Jesus Christ 's head at His crucifixion, and its scarlet berries are synonymous with drops of His blood. Jump up ^ Little Jr., Elbert L. ; Roger G. Skolmen ( 1989 ). `` Kāwaʻu, Hawaiian holly '' ( PDF ). United States Forest Service. Jump up ^ Ulloa Ulloa & Jørgensen ( 1993 ), eFloras.org ( 2007a, b ), IUCN ( 2007 ), RBGE ( 2007 ), USDA ( 2007a, b ) External links Find more aboutHollyat Wikipedia 's sister projects Definitions from Wiktionary Media from Wikimedia Commons Quotations from Wikiquote Taxonomy from Wikispecies Eichhorn, Markus ( March 2011 ). `` The Holly Tree ''. Test Tube. Brady Haran for the University of Nottingham. Aquifoliaceae in BoDD -- Botanical Dermatology Database Taxon identifiers Wd : Q117085 APDB : 191632 EoL : 40226 EPPO : 1ILEG FloraBase : 22454 FoC : 116366 Fossilworks : 319957 GRIN : 6018 IPNI : 60437220 - 2 ITIS : 27980 NCBI : 4295 NZOR : e00c9572 - f549 - 44a4 - aa47 - 82a2015abc23 PLANTS : ILEX POWO : urn : lsid : ipni.org : names : 60437220 - 2 Tropicos : 40030671 VASCAN : 1282 WoRMS : 415505 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Holly&oldid=835647553 '' Categories : Ilex Medicinal plants Winter traditions Christmas plants Dioecious plants Poisonous plants Flora of North America Flora of East Asia Flora of Europe Hidden categories : All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from January 2018 Articles with permanently dead external links Use dmy dates from November 2013 Articles with ' species ' microformats Articles containing Old English - language text Articles containing French - language text Articles containing Old High German - language text Articles containing Low German - language text Articles containing Welsh - language text Articles containing Breton - language text Articles containing Irish - language text Articles containing Italian - language text Articles containing Occitan - language text All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from June 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikispecies Wikiquote Azərbaycanca Български Català Cebuano Čeština Dansk Deutsch Diné bizaad Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Français Gaeilge Gàidhlig Galego 한국어 Հայերեն हिन्दी Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Ирон Italiano עברית ქართული Kurdî Latina Lietuvių Magyar മലയാളം မြန်မာဘာသာ Nederlands Polski Português Runa Simi Русский Simple English Suomi Svenska Tagalog Українська Tiếng Việt Winaray 粵語 中文 39 more Edit links This page was last edited on 9 April 2018, at 23 : 07. 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Question: how many types of holly bushes are there
Answer: 400 to 600 species