Holly travel guide

The genus Ilex comprises more than 350 species distributed worldwide in the tropics and temperate regions. The greatest diversity of species found in America and southeast Asia. In Europe, the genus is represented by a single species (Ilex aquifolium), and in Africa (Ilex mitis) and Australia (Ilex arnhemensis). They are mostly woody plants, trees or shrubs, usually dioecious . The leaves are usually persistent, sometimes fitted with spikes. The flowers are small, white or light colored, often gathered in small clusters in leaf axils. The fruits are berries, bright red in almost all species. Many species have ornamental interest. The cut branches (Ilex aquifolium, Ilex opaca), responsible for red balls decorate houses at Christmas. Many varieties and hybrids have been developed as qu'arbustes ornament for parks and gardens. The different parts of the plant are quite toxic. The leaves of several species show high levels of caffeine and have been traditionally used by indigenous people for making beverages exciting, ritual or drugs. The most famous is the maté (Ilex paraguariensis) in South America. One can also cite the yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) in North America and guayusa (Ilex guayusa) in Amazonia. (...) more....

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