Holly , or Holly , or Holly ordinary ( Latin: Ilex aquifolium ) is a plant of the Holly family , a species of the Holly family that grows in countries of Western and Southern Europe, North-West Africa and South-West Asia. Poisonous plant .
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| Ilex aquifolium L. |
Content
Biological Description
An evergreen tree 10–25 m high and a trunk diameter of 30–80 cm. The bark of the tree is gray, smooth. The leaves are alternate leathery, elliptical or ovoid, dark green shiny on the upper side and light green on the lower, 5-12 cm long and 2-6 cm wide. The edges of the leaves are jagged and wavy-curved. The flowers are bisexual small white inconspicuous with four petals. Fruits - red spherical drupes, 6-10 mm in diameter. The fruits contain 4-5 single-seeded seeds. It blooms in May - June. Fruits in September to February. Grows slowly, survives to 100 years.
Chemical Composition
The leaves and fruits of the plant contain the alkaloid theobromine , as well as coloring substances ( ilexanthin , rutin ).
Usage
Before the spread of Christmas trees, holly was used in Western Europe as a Christmas decoration. This tradition is rooted in Celtic culture, for the Druids believed that the tree symbolizes the sun , and burned it on the day of the winter solstice . The ancient Romans dedicated the holly to the god Saturn .
In folk medicine, holly leaves are recommended as an anti-fever and diuretic. Berries have a laxative effect. Holly bark compresses help relieve severe pain.
Holly berries of the holly are poisonous and are not used in food.
Links
- Holly Holly (English) : information on the GRIN website.
- Flora Europaea: Ilex aquifolium
- Med-Checklist: Ilex aquifolium
- Ilex aquifolium L. (English) . IPCS Poisons Information Monograph (PIM) 272 . IPCS . Date of treatment March 19, 2014. Archived March 19, 2014.