- Holly -

Evergreen tree

Height : rarely more than 50 feet (15.2 m)

The berry is generally red, but sometimes yellow, white, or even black; they may be said to be poisonous to man, being extremely emetic and cathartic in their effects. They persist into the winter until hungry songbirds find them.

Short, crooked branches and a pyramid-shaped crown.

Oval of a shiny dark green, 2-4 inches (5.1-10.2 cm) long, rather stiff, and armed with sharp spines.

The flowers are tiny with 4-6 creamy-white petals; the male flowers in clusters of 3-9, and the female flowers (on separate trees) in clusters of 1-3.

One of the great charms of the Holly is its silvery bark. Smooth on the old stems as in the beech. The young twigs are light green, and slightly downy.