Genus Ilex, L. (Holly)

Leaves - simple; alternate; edge with remote, very sharp spine-like teeth, with rounded spaces between. Outline - oval. Apex and Base - pointed. Leaf - about two inches long; dark polished green above; below rather yellowish-green; thick and stiff; smooth throughout; ribs very indistinct below. Bark - light gray and smooth. Fruit - a nearly round, bright-red berry, the size of a pea. It ripens in September and continues upon the branches into the winter. Found - from Massachusetts southward near the coast to Florida, and from Southern Indiana southwest, and southward to the Gulf. General Information - The use of holly and other evergreens in religious ceremonies dates from pagan times. “Trummying of the temples with floures, boughes, and garlondes, was taken of the heathen people, whiche decked their idols and houses with suche array.: Early church councils made rules and restrictions concerning the practice - e.g., in France Christians were forbidden “to decke up their houses with lawrell, yvie, and green gouches in the Christmas season,” for “Hedera est gratissima Baccho.” (The ivy is most acceptable to Bacchus.)

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