genus

Hollies

Ilex

Field notes

Ilex () or holly is a genus of over 570 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. Ilex has the most species of any woody dioecious angiosperm genus. The species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide.

The type species is Ilex aquifolium, the common European holly used in Christmas decorations and cards. Aside, other hollies are desired for other purposes, like yerba mate and yaupon for the beverage made from their leaves.