Holly

Ilex aquifolium

The Holly tree is characteristic. An evergreen, it has dark green, shiny leathery leaves with undulating margins edged with sharp spines. Occasionally, the upper leaves or even all the leaves lack the spines and lobes. Holly can grow up to 20 metres in height but is also found as a leafy shrub growing close to ground level where its spines prevent it from being grazed by animals. Its bark is smooth and grey. Holly produces tiny white flowers in May. By July the green berries have formed which ripen to the familiar red berry by September. These often provide a valuable food supply to birds such as Thrushes during cold winter months. Holly often grows as an understorey species in oak or beech woods.