Botanical family: Aquifoliaceae

Ilex cassine

Florida native Holly is a wetland shrub or small tree found throughout Florida, southeastern U.S. coastal plain, Bahamas, and Cuba. In warm winter areas Ilex cassine is evergreen but tends to shed its foliage in colder climates.

In the winter, female trees are covered with bright red or yellow berries.

Ilex cornuta

Ilex cornuta is valued horticulturally for its attractive and distinctive rectangular foliage and for its large red berries. Unusually shaped rectangular leaves have three large spines at the apex. Flowers are fragrant but generally inconspicuous.

Ilex opaca

Ilex opaca or American Holly is a fast-growing tree native to North America. It can be used for bonsai and grows to a height of 10-20 ft, making it suitable for gardens, lawns and parks. It needs full sun or partial shade for optimal growth and should be watered regularly (moderate water requirement). During its blooming season, Ilex opaca produces white, off-white flowers, which are followed by berries with a beautiful, shiny red coloration, being used as a traditional Christmas decoration. Its foliage is ornamental, though younger trees may have thorns and spines on branches.

Ilex opaca is cold hardy and can be grown in USD Zones 5-10. To grow this tree in a pot in cold areas, select a container with a drainage hole and fill it good potting mix. Make sure the container is kept in a sheltered location and water the tree regularly. Although Ilex opaca is cold hardy, extra protection from cold can be provided by wrapping the pot with a blanket or bubble wrap when temperatures plummet.

Ilex paraguariensis

The leaves of this tree are used to produce a herbal infusion called Yerba Mate or Paraguayan tea, a beverage traditionally consumed in central and southern South America. It is also very popular in Syria where it is imported from Argentina. Yerba mate can also be found in energy drinks.

The leaves are evergreen, with a serrated margin. The leaves are often called yerba (Spanish) or erva (Portuguese), both of which mean herb. They contain caffeine and other alkaloids and are harvested commercially.

Mate also contains compounds that, when extracted from green tea, help burn more calories, act as an appetite suppressant and weight loss tool, increase the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the heart, increase mental energy and focus, improve mood, and promote deeper sleep.

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Ilex pernyi

Ilex pernyi is a slow growing evergreen shrub with a conical habit. Its dark green, shiny, leathery leaves are ovate with spiny margins, up to 3cm long and 1.5cm broad and variable in shape.

Ilex verticillata

Ilex verticillata is a deciduous shrub with extremely attractive red fruits that persist into Autumn and Winter.

Ilex vomitoria

The species may be distinguished from the similar Ilex cassine by its smaller leaves with a rounded, not acute apex.