Practical
Plants

Ilex opaca

American Holly

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Ilex genus in the family Aquifoliaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Ilex
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
15 m
Spread
1.5 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Bees
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no specific reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, the fruits of at least some members of this genus contain saponins and are slightly toxic. They can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and stupor if eaten in quantity[15]. The fruits can cause violent vomiting[11].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The roasted leaves are used as a tea substitute[3][5]. They do not contain caffeine[7]. The drink was a very popular tea substitute during the American Civil war[7].

Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The berries are laxative, emetic and diuretic[11]. They are used in the treatment of children's diarrhoea, colic and indigestion[11]. A tea made from the leaves has been used as a treatment for measles, colds etc[11][14]. The leaves have also been used externally in the treatment of sore eyes, sore and itchy skin[11][14]. A tea made from the bark was once used in the treatment of malaria and epilepsy[11]. It has also been used as a wash for sore eyes and itchy skin[14].

Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Skin

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A number of cultivars of this species are used for hedging[10]. Fairly wind-resistant, this species is also used in shelterbelt plantings[10]. A dye has been made from the berries - the colour is not given[14]. Wood - light, tough, not strong, close grained, highly shock resistant, easily worked[19][2][4][12]. A strikingly white wood, it is valued for use in veneers and inlay[15]. It weighs 36lb per cubic foot[13]. Too small for commercial exploitation, but it is valued for use in cabinet making and the interior finishes of houses[19], it is also used for making small items such as tool handles[2][4][12]. The wood can also be stained to imitate ebony[4].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Hedge

Windbreak

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Florida and west to Texas.
Habitat
Grows in a variety of soil types, but it is generally found in deep moist bottomlands[12]. Moist woods, hedges and fields[16][8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. It can take 18 months to germinate. Stored seed generally requires two winters and a summer before it will germinate and should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. Scarification, followed by a warm stratification and then a cold stratification may speed up the germination time[17][18]. The seedlings are rather slow-growing. Pot them up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame for their first year. It is possible to plant them out into a nursery bed in late spring of the following year, but they should not be left here for more than two years since they do not like being transplanted. Alternatively, grow them on in their pots for a second season and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Give them a good mulch and some protection for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of almost ripe wood with a heel, August in a shaded position in a cold frame. Leave for 12 months before potting up. Layering in October. Takes 2 years.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils so long as they are not water-logged. Fairly wind-resistant[10]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[8]. A slow-growing and long-lived species in the wild[12], but it does not thrive or fruit well in British gardens[6]. Plants do not thrive in a maritime climate[9]. There are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value[6][10]. The leaves remain on the plant for about 3 years, falling in the spring[19]. Flowers are produced on the current year's growth[12]. Resents root disturbance, especially as the plants get older[1]. It is best to place the plants into their permanent positions as soon as possible, perhaps giving some winter protection for their first year or two[K]. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back into old wood if required[9]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  2. Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-292-78958-3

    ↩1↩2

  3. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩

  4. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

  9. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  12. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  13. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩

  14. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  15. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩1↩2

  16. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  17. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

  18. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩

  19. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2↩3

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