Ilex aquifolium
L. English HollyEvergreen shrub or small tree to 10 m high, glabrous except for pubescent new growth and inflorescences; bark pale grey. Leaves ovate, elliptic or oblong, 3–10 cm long, 2.5–5 cm wide, apex acute, spine-tipped, margins undulate, spinose-dentate, sometimes entire on old trees, coriaceous, dark green and shiny above, paler and dull below; petiole 5–15 mm long, grooved. Cymes 3-flowered, clustered in axillary fascicles, rarely female flowers solitary; pedicels to c. 3 mm long. Flowers dull white or pinkish, fragrant; sepals triangular-ovate, c. 1.5 mm long, free in upper half; petals elliptic, 2–5 mm long; stamens half as long as petals; anthers c. 1.5 mm long. Drupe ovoid or globose, 7–10 mm long, 6–10 mm diam., bright red; pyrenes usually 4–5, ribbed. Flowers mostly late spring–summer.
GleP, VVP, VRiv, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, EGL, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz, MonT, VAlp. Also naturalised SA, NSW. Native of Europe. A popular garden ornamental becoming established in a few cooler, higher rainfall parts of the State. It is a troublesome weed in the Dandenong Ranges and near Mt Donna Buang to the east of Melbourne.
Jeanes, J.A. (1999). Aquifoliaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 54–55. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
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