Holly
CR

Holly

Ilex aquifolium

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilex_aquifolium

Overview

Ilex aquifolium, the holly, common holly, English holly, European holly, or occasionally Christmas holly, is a species of flowering plant in the family Aquifoliaceae, native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia. It is regarded as the type species of the genus Ilex, which by association is also called holly. It is an evergreen tree or shrub found, for example, in shady areas of forests of oak and in beech hedges.

In the British Isles it is one of very few native hardwood evergreen trees. It has a great capacity to adapt to different conditions and is a pioneer species that repopulates the margins of forests or clearcuts.

Holly (Ilex aquifolium) faces significant threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and land conversion for agriculture and development. Climate change is altering suitable habitat ranges, while over-harvesting for decorative purposes during winter holidays has reduced wild populations in many regions.

Threat summary

Habitat

Ilex aquifolium during winter growing next to a beech near [[Frederikshavn, Denmark]] Holly is native to much of the western half of Europe as well as northwestern Africa. Its native status in central and Eastern Europe is disputed. According to Plants of the World Online (POWO) it is not native or reproducing in Poland or Hungary, but is native to Bulgaria and Romania. According to the...

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Aquifoliaceae

CR

Ilex eoa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Holly classified as Critically Endangered?
Holly is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Holly (Ilex aquifolium) faces significant threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and land conversion for agriculture and development. Climate change is altering suitable habitat ranges, while over-harvesting for decorative purposes during winter holidays has reduced wild populations in many regions.
Where does Holly live?
Holly occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Holly?
The main threats to Holly are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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