Holly
Holly
Holly
Holly, common name for a family of plants, containing about 400 species, and for its typical genus. The holly family consists of trees and shrubs usually having separate staminate and pistillate flowers that are small in size, four- to eight-parted in structure, and white or greenish in colour. The fruits are usually red drupes, containing two to eight one-seeded stones. Common holly is a small tree with spiny evergreen leaves and bright red fruit. It is widely cultivated for ornamental purposes as is the Highclere holly, a hybrid between the common holly and the canary holly. Highclere holly usually has larger, flatter leaves than the common holly, and a few small spines. Both of the commonly cultivated hollies have a wide range of forms, including those with white or yellow edges to the leaves. Hollies are resistant to air pollution and are often grown in large towns. A South American species, the Paraguay tea, has stimulant properties and is used to make an aromatic beverage, maté.
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