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Aquifoliaceae
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Cluster of bright red berries and glossy, spiny green leaves of the European holly shrub, Ilex aquifolium.
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Cluster of bright red berries and glossy, spiny green leaves of the European holly shrub, Ilex aquifolium.
Holly A bough of European holly (Ilex aquifolium).

Aquifoliaceae

plant family
Also known as: holly family
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Aquifoliaceae, the holly family, in the order Aquifoliales, found worldwide, comprising two genera and about 400 species of shrubs and trees, best known for the genus Ilex (see holly). Four species of Byronia are in the Polynesian and Australian area, and only one species of mountain holly (Nemopanthus mucronatus) is native to northeastern North America.

This article was most recently revised and updated by William L. Hosch.