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Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

Diputación de Málaga
Ilex aquifolium

Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

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Flowering
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Flowers Fruits
Plant Life > Trees, Bushes and Herbaceous Plants

IDENTIFICATION

It is a species with a very dense and bunny bush bearing, similar to a small tree (up to 2 m high). The trunk bark and the branches are smooth grey. The leaves (up to 8 cm long) are evergreen, simple, alternating and somewhat oval. The edge is full of thorns (a more prominent characteristic on adult stage) and are of a dark green tone. They lack hair on each face. The flowers have several planes of symmetry (they are actinomorphic) and exhibit four petals and four sepals. They are set in groups (axillary inflorescences) around an axis, so that the terminal flower is the first to open, while the others develop laterally. The fruit is a drupe (fleshy fruit with a single bone, cherry type), globose, hairless and bright red at maturity. The seeds mid about 7 to 8 mm.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It forms more or less dense and impenetrable stands, but it more commonly accompanies leaf forests deciduous trees (oak groves, gall oaks, chestnut trees...) or evergreen trees wet trees, weaves, pine forests and even holm oaks in sheltered areas with humidity and shade enough. It does not care about soil types; but it prefers acid substrates (sandstones or schist), fresh and deep. It is also part of forest borders and climatic undergrowths (mature or well developed) in rainy mountain areas and in humid ocean ravines, between 600 and 1600 m of altitude.

HOW DOES IT LIVE?

It is a dioecious species (uni sexual flowers; male and female in different specimens). Flourishing occurs in May. Its flowers are pollinated by small insects, mainly diptera (flies) and hymenoptera (bees and wasps). The fruits mature between November and December. The female plants that are usually isolated from other specimens of the same species produce very low fruit crops, while the specimens living in areas with higher holly density tend to generate more abundant crops. The fruits are consumed by frugivory birds, especially thrushes and blackbirds, who disperse its seeds. The fruits that are not consumed remain on the plant for a long time without deteriorating.

WHERE CAN WE SEE IT IN MÁLAGA?

It is a very localized species in the Malaga province. Its greatest populations are located in the most Western part; in the Genal Valley and the Cortes Mountains. In the Great Path (Gran Senda), we can observe it on stages 25 to 28.

CURIOUS FACTS

The leaves’ canopy formed by holly masses play a very important role in ecosystems as it maintains better temperature and humidity conditions in the interior regarding the environment. So it helps several animals to get refuge in winter.  It is a very used species as an ornamental plant, most of all in Christmas time, both for its evergreen leaves and its red coloured fruits. It is supposed that this plant is a symbol of these celebrations. It is a threatened species in Andalousia and it is part of the Andalusian Wildlife Species under Special Protection List. Collecting it is not allowed.

SIMILAR SPECIES

It can be confused with the tickle or holm oak due to the morphology and appearance of its leaves. It differs from the kermes oaks as the leaves of this second plant are much smaller and lighter. The olm oaks leaves are also a bit smaller an above all, they have  a velvet underside. Both olm and kermes oaks live in much dryer places than the holly. Their fruit also differs from the holly's one. Olm and kermes fruits are acorns, not drupes

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