Summary

Overview
Ilex is a large family containing about 480 species. In the UK it is well-known due to its popularity at Christmas and eat easy identification from its spikey leaves and bright red, shiny berries.
The Latin name Ilex means holm-oak; the holm-oak is an evergreen oak tree and the leaves of oaks and hollies could superficially resemble one another. Historically ilex was a term used for both oak and holly even though they are now known to be different genre.
The one of holiday is white, hard and dense. It carves well and has had a myriad of duties in the past. It is still used for intricate inlay work on furniture.
At historic bushcraft use for ilex was to make birdlime from processing the bark. This is a thick sticky substance that was used to capture birds for eating. The process is still used in areas od the world but also outlawed in other.

Bushcraft:
Useful as it is widespread. Dried leaves are good as a tinder and the wood burns well.

General Info

Gallery and Identification

Features common to majority of species:
Size - in the UK it often resembles I shrub, however, it can grow up to 15 m high.
Bark - silver grey in colour. Lightly fissured and has small 'warts'. Branches and twigs of green.
Leaves - dark green, oval and are waxy and thick. They alternate along the branch. Leaves of younger trees have wavy, spikey edges but in older trees they are often smooth.
Reproductive Parts - small white flowers growing bunches. Once the female flowers have been pollinated be turned into the familiar red berries.
Distribution - found all over the UK (less so in inland areas of Scotland) and they can be found throughout the world in tropics and temperate zones.
Surroundings - Found in woodlands, shrubs and hedgerows. It is planted ornamentally and so can be found in gardens and parks.

Resources

• Firewood
• Dried leaves good for tinder