Plant · GBIF taxon 5414258
Chinese holly
Ilex cornutaAlso known as Horned Holly
Chinese holly stands out among evergreens with its glossy, rectangular leaves featuring sharp horn-like spines at each corner. Bright crimson berries ripen in autumn and persist through winter, providing a vital cold-weather food source for birds like waxwings and robins. Originally native to eastern Asia, this hardy shrub has become a popular ornamental worldwide due to its drought tolerance and dense growth habit.
EvergreenOrnamentalBerry-Bearing
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic
Predators
- Cedar Waxwings
- American Robins
- White-Tailed Deer
ThreatsLocal habitat destruction in native range; invasive escape into wild woodlands
HabitatsSubtropical forests, thickets, and cultivated landscapes
Life span50–100 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAquifoliales
- FamilyAquifoliaceae
- GenusIlex
- SpeciesIlex cornuta
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Foliage and berries are toxic to humans and pets; wild berries also have dangerous look-alikes.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains saponins and ilicin that cause severe gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, and lethargy if foliage or berries are swallowed.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by its glossy rectangular leaves ending in sharp corner spines and clusters of large bright red winter berries.
- What to do
- Wear thick gloves when trimming to avoid painful punctures, and keep cut branches away from pets and children.
Responsible observation
- Pruning: Wear heavy leather gloves when trimming to protect against rigid leaf spines.
- Landscape Use: Plant in full sun to partial shade for dense foliage and maximum berry yield.
- Wildlife Observation: Watch for overwintering songbirds foraging on mature berries in late winter.
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Laura Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Clark · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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