What's so funny about holly?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
December 26, 2002
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading—>Click here.
Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.
Killer Picks: Wollemi Pine, greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century—>Click here.
Carnelian jewelry set, Sirari Seed Necklace, Southwestern Tote, & more—>Click here.
Sheepskin B-3 Flight Jacket, Pathfinder Atomic Watch—>Click here.
The English holly (Ilex aquifolium Linnaeus) is probably the best known of the hollies. The spiny-leaved evergreens have been used since ancient times as winter decorations. Native to Europe and North Africa, the first record of these trees intentionally cultivated comes from Pliny the Elder who recommended "planted in a town or country house wards off magic." (Pliny's Natural History, trans. John F. Healy, 1991)
English holly is considered a large shrub or small tree, although the wild type can grow to 25 meters (80 feet). Frequently, the spiniest leaves are found low on the plants. In the wild, spiny leaves probably discourage browsers like deer. As these hollies grow tall, leaves on upper branches have fewer spines.
The English and most other hollies are dioecious, staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers are borne on separate plants. Only female hollies bear berries. But, every now and then, a male or female holly may be polygamodioecious; the plants may bear a few 'perfect' flowers having both stamens and a pistil. Ilex aquifolium 'Pyramidalis' are descendents of a female holly which retained perfect flowers and are self-fertile (produce berries without a male holly nearby).
There are hundreds of named cultivars (cultivated varieties) and hybrids of English holly available in the nursery trade. Plants have been selected for size—shrub or tree; leaf-form—smooth, toothed, spiny, or twisted; leaf-variegation—white or yellow either marginal (on the edge) or medial (along the midvein); and berry color—yellow, orange, or red. Some of the variety names make no sense concerning the sex of the plant—"Golden King" is female and both "Silver Queen" and "Golden Queen" are males.
The Zagreb, Croatia website has great photographs of holly leaves. To view various forms of holly leaves, click on the link:
http://www.vrtlarstvo.com/ilex.htm
Scroll down the page for the photographs.
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
dahoon (Ilex cassine Linnaeus) Plant of the Week - November 25, 2002
What's so funny about holly? Weird Plants - December 26, 2002
What could disappear from the earth? Renfield's Garden - January 8, 2003
Are some evergreens insectivorous by proxy? Renfield's Garden - December 26, 2001
Killer Savings Links:
Breck's Bulbs -$25 off—>Click here.
Gurney's Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Henry Fields Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Spring Hill Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.
Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.
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Carnelian jewelry set, 'Butterfly'
NOVICA®
A sterling butterfly alights delicately on this design to center a stunning choker. Working with the radiance of natural carnelian, Lilly Rahmann sets the gems amid intricate silver beads. Matching earrings complete the jewelry set. .925 rating silver
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Red Petal Alpaca Cardigan
National Geographic®
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Our toreador-inspired flyaway cardigan is knit in La Paz, Bolivia, using 100% Alpaca fiber, a material that has been part of Andean textile traditions for thousands of years. With embroidered appliqués and leather buttons at the neck, this sophisticated red-and-black cardigan showcases indigenous Bolivian craftsmanship as well as the country's colonial Spanish influence.
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Women's sizes S (4–6), M (8–10), L (12–14), XL (16).
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Bolivian Sirari Necklace
National Geographic®
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This bold necklace is handmade using the vivid red-and-black seeds of the tropical sirari tree, gathered after they fall to the floor of the Amazon rain forest.
Medicine men of the Ayoreo tribe use the seeds in mixtures intended to banish evil and bring good luck.
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The result is a one-of-a-kind conversation piece. Handmade in Bolivia. 18"L.
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Southwestern Wool Travel Tote
National Geographic®
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With a long history of woolmaking, Pendleton Mills traded with Native Americans in the early 20th century, making ceremonial blankets for them.
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Made from a woven wool and cotton blend, this travel tote features leather trim and leather-reinforced corners to prevent wear and tear.
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Sheepskin B-3 Flight Jacket
National Geographic®
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This authentic B-3 jacket became the military-issued cold-weather flight jacket in 1934, and it is still the warmest and most insulating bomber jacket made.
Aviators in WWII bombers came to rely on their B-3 jackets as they often flew their missions over Europe in unpressurized cabins, where air temperatures could drop to more than 60 degrees below zero.
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Traditional leather welted seams and side-entry pockets are authentic details from the original. Made in U.S.A.
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Pathfinder Atomic Watch
National Geographic®
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The ultimate in reliability, this Casio Pathfinder watch is ideal for travelers and outdoor adventurers.
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Water-resistant to 300 feet. Face has 1 3/8" diameter. Resin band.
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Wollemi Pine
National Geographic®
Exclusively from National Geographic, this survivor from the age of the dinosaurs is one of the greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century. The Wollemi pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species, belonging to a 200-million-year-old plant family thought to have been extinct for more than two million years.
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Previously known only from fossil records, it was presumed extinct until a single tree was found in the Wollemi National Park, Australia, in 1994. Subsequent research discovered 100 adult trees that have survived in a single canyon in this wild and rugged area.
Click here to view canyon, trees and fossil record.
You can assist in the conservation effort and enjoy the unique opportunity to ensure the continued survival of this rare species by giving the tree as a gift or growing your own. Suitable for indoor container gardening or as a landscape tree in certain areas of the U.S.
Comes with a care manual with the full story about the discovery and fascinating history of the Wollemi pine. Comes in a copper-colored container and will be approximately 10''H when shipped. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these plants will fund ongoing conservation research.
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National Geographic®
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You are invited to roam the world in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Explore the diversity of our planet's lands and inhabitants in compelling stories covering topics such as animals, nature, science, technology, culture, history, travel, adventure, exploration, and geography. The monthly National Geographic magazine is your key benefit of membership.
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