Fauna
Plant

Chinese Holly

Ilex cornuta

Also 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
Chinese Holly reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic
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
Classification
  1. OrderAquifoliales
  2. FamilyAquifoliaceae
  3. GenusIlex
  4. SpeciesIlex cornuta
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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