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Wood Atlas - Xylarium

Holly

lat. Ilex aquifolium
Ilex, Holly Tree

Holly


European holly (Ilex aquifolium)The European holly (Ilex aquifolium) is a native of Northern Europe with an extraordinary and mystical history. There are more than 400 species in the Ilex family found in temperate and tropical climates around the world. The mythological significance of the European holly runs through many religions, including those of the Celtic and Germanic tribes, continuing into the Christian era and beyond. To this day, it remains a traditional Christmas decoration and is used in place of palms on Palm Sunday. Its English name "Holly" comes from the Anglo-Saxon "holegn" meaning holy.
The wood is very hard, very dense, and almost white. The grain can be described as extremely subtle. The red berries are a welcome source of food for birds, but they are poisonous to humans. It only takes 20-30 berries to be fatal to an adult human; much fewer will kill a child. Nevertheless, it depends on the dosage, as holly berries and leaves also find their way into natural medicines and teas.

 

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