Appearance
Ilex aquifolium is a large evergreen tree or shrub that can grow from 15-50 ft. (4.6-15.2 m) tall. The bark is smooth and can be grey to black in color.

Foliage
Leaves are alternate, thick, dark green, glossy, wavy, 1-3 in. (2.5-7.6 cm) long with sharp stout spines.

Flowers
Flowers are small, white, fragrant, and found in clusters. The blooming period occurs in late Spring and early summer from May to June.

Fruit
The berries are bright red to orange and yellow in color and 0.31 in. (8 mm) across. Each berry contains 4 seeds. Fruit ripens from August to October.

Ecological Threat
Ilex aquifolium can grow in shaded or sunny areas and is often found in forests. It is native to south and central Europe.

Citations
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzländer. 2014. New Invaders of the Northwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/pdfs/FHTET-2014-12_NW_New_Invaders.pdf
 

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• California Invasive Plant Council
• Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
• National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
• Native Plant Society of Oregon, 2008
• New Invaders of the Northwest
• Non-Native Invasive Plants of Arlington County, Virginia
• Reichard, Sarah. 1994.  Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References