Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
holly
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
Clusters of bright red berries and glossy, spiny-edged green leaves on an American holly (Ilex opaca) shrub. English holly Cluster of bright red berries and glossy, spiny green leaves of the European holly shrub, Ilex aquifolium.
Quizzes
Venus's-flytrap. Venus's-flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) one of the best known of the meat-eating plants. Carnivorous plant, Venus flytrap, Venus fly trap
Plants: From Cute to Carnivorous
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Clusters of bright red berries and glossy, spiny-edged green leaves on an American holly (Ilex opaca) shrub.
American holly American holly (Ilex opaca).

holly

plant genus
Also known as: Ilex
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
•History

holly, (genus Ilex), genus of some 600 species of shrubs and trees in the family Aquifoliaceae, distributed nearly worldwide. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals for their distinctive foliage and red or black fruits, which persist into winter and are popular Christmas decorations. Mate, a tealike beverage common in parts of South America, is made from the leaves of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis). Hollies have alternate simple leaves, and the leaves of many species have...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile