English Holly
Take a Quick Glance...
A Closer Look...
Scientific Name: Ilex aquofolium
Angiosperm or Gymnosperm: Angiosperm
Natural Habitat: Forest habitat native to Europe, specifically the British Isles
Leaf: Leaves are dark green but have bright intense color; tough, smooth leaves that have a spiky outside around the leaf
Seed/Fruit & Germination: Fruit are small red berries that are able to be produced and survived in a cold environment and other severe weather; Pollination and the spread of the plant occurs when bees are other small bugs transport the pollen to different areas
Species: Many insects, specifically aphids are associated with the plant; Many small animals such as rabbits and even larger animals such as goats eat the plant
Bark: No bark
Ethnobotany: English Holly has been known to be used for several purposes, but people have commonly used it for medicinal and healing aspects. Its leaves and juices of the leaves have been utilized as treatments for certain illnesses in ancient times and modern culture. People associate and recognize this plant with Christmas and the holiday's decorations.
Angiosperm or Gymnosperm: Angiosperm
Natural Habitat: Forest habitat native to Europe, specifically the British Isles
Leaf: Leaves are dark green but have bright intense color; tough, smooth leaves that have a spiky outside around the leaf
Seed/Fruit & Germination: Fruit are small red berries that are able to be produced and survived in a cold environment and other severe weather; Pollination and the spread of the plant occurs when bees are other small bugs transport the pollen to different areas
Species: Many insects, specifically aphids are associated with the plant; Many small animals such as rabbits and even larger animals such as goats eat the plant
Bark: No bark
Ethnobotany: English Holly has been known to be used for several purposes, but people have commonly used it for medicinal and healing aspects. Its leaves and juices of the leaves have been utilized as treatments for certain illnesses in ancient times and modern culture. People associate and recognize this plant with Christmas and the holiday's decorations.
Creative Writing
I watch the seasons change and I watch you
I watch you like you are a cinema
Delicate powder falls upon you
Taints your green hands
You hold the arctic white flakes in the palms of your hands
Your leaves smooth as they caress the snow
And then through your fingertips it disappears
As if it was never there simply just a dream
Revealing your patterns hidden beneath that product of wintertime
Melting, dripping, it falls and falls
Tears running down a pale icy cheek
Piercing the soil beneath as it travels to the ground
Its presence only forgotten and trapped in the haunted past
You never change
The golden warmth appears behind the shadows of the clouds
The sunlight casts light on to all the critters that flock to you
They admire your rich taste and the fruit of which you produce
Bite by bite their taste buds succumb to your power
The sun drifts yet again and fades in to the darkness
You never change
The sun does not return
Yet a gray haze sifts through in to the day and remains
Drops of rain from the sky fall on to you
Red, orange, and yellow leaves bring the color of fire to the ground
Yet you never change
The seasons pass, the things they come and they go
Yet you never change
Your durability, your strength
Always have and always will
You remain
I watch you like you are a cinema
Delicate powder falls upon you
Taints your green hands
You hold the arctic white flakes in the palms of your hands
Your leaves smooth as they caress the snow
And then through your fingertips it disappears
As if it was never there simply just a dream
Revealing your patterns hidden beneath that product of wintertime
Melting, dripping, it falls and falls
Tears running down a pale icy cheek
Piercing the soil beneath as it travels to the ground
Its presence only forgotten and trapped in the haunted past
You never change
The golden warmth appears behind the shadows of the clouds
The sunlight casts light on to all the critters that flock to you
They admire your rich taste and the fruit of which you produce
Bite by bite their taste buds succumb to your power
The sun drifts yet again and fades in to the darkness
You never change
The sun does not return
Yet a gray haze sifts through in to the day and remains
Drops of rain from the sky fall on to you
Red, orange, and yellow leaves bring the color of fire to the ground
Yet you never change
The seasons pass, the things they come and they go
Yet you never change
Your durability, your strength
Always have and always will
You remain
Current Research
The leaves of Ilex Aquifolium have been used in folk medicine for their ability to reduce fever, yet the berries that they produce are extremely toxic and harmful. In the past, "Native Americans brewed tea made of holly leaves to treat coughs" and other various medicinal purposes (Barber, 2008). In addition to the several purposes the leaves hold, "In folk medicine, Ilex aquifolium is traditionally used for intermittent fevers and rheumatism" (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), n.d.). The leaves of the English Holly have continued to be researched, and studies have been conducted on the chemical composition. However, although parts of English Holly have been used for herbal and medicinal healing purposes, its berries tend to be dangerous to the human species, specifically children. Information has been provided of how "Intoxications are almost exclusively seen in children after ingestion of berries from Ilex aquifolium" (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), n.d.).
Very precise and thorough scientific studies were conducted to find the extent of harm of English Holly berries. This is enforced by research of how "the berries containing the toxin saponin are poisonous; the leaves are not...effect of saponin is a negative effect with cellular membranes" (Evens & Stellpflug, 2012, p.539). Ingestion that occurs mainly includes vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc. (Evens & Stellpflug, 2012, p.539).
Very precise and thorough scientific studies were conducted to find the extent of harm of English Holly berries. This is enforced by research of how "the berries containing the toxin saponin are poisonous; the leaves are not...effect of saponin is a negative effect with cellular membranes" (Evens & Stellpflug, 2012, p.539). Ingestion that occurs mainly includes vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc. (Evens & Stellpflug, 2012, p.539).
References
Barber, L. (2008, December 2). Holly's Meaning Goes Way Back. Deseret News. Retrieved from http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705267317/Hollys-meaning-goes-way-back.html
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). (n.d.). Ilex Aquifolium L. Retrieved from International Programme on Chemical Safety website: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/plant/ilexaqui.htm
Evens, Z., & Stellpflug, S. (2012). Holiday Plants with Toxic Misconceptions. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 13(6), 539.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). (n.d.). Ilex Aquifolium L. Retrieved from International Programme on Chemical Safety website: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/plant/ilexaqui.htm
Evens, Z., & Stellpflug, S. (2012). Holiday Plants with Toxic Misconceptions. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 13(6), 539.