Holly Family (Aquifoliaceae)

Several species of Ilex are planted by homeowners for their attractive foliage and berries. Among the best known of the horticultural varieties are the American holly, yaupon holly, and winterberry. Because of their colorful berries which ripen by fall and winter, many hollies are used for indoor decorating, especially during the Christmas season. Holly boughs and wreaths are popular for this purpose. English holly (Ilex aquifolium) is commonly used for its attractive berries, but creative decorators will also collect leaves and berries from the native, North American hollies.

Long before the horticulture industry discovered the hardiness and attractiveness of hollies, Native Americans used the yaupon holly for medicinal and religious purposes. A dark tea was brewed from the leaves of yaupon holly, which, when consumed, induced sweating, excitation, bowel movement, and vomiting. Only men were allowed to consume this purgative tea. The compound in the holly leaves responsible for the reaction from the tea is the stimulant caffeine, also found in coffee. Of the 400 species of Ilex worldwide, only about 60 species are known to contain caffeine.

In South America, Paraguay tea or yerba mate, is brewed from the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis. This brew, like yaupon tea, is a stimulating drink containing caffeine. Although Paraguay tea can induce sweating and urination, it is widely used on a regular basis by many South Americans, just as North Americans drink coffee.

The bark of winterberry was used by native American Indians to brew a refreshing tonic, but direct consumption of the berries may induce vomiting. Winterberry bark has also been made into an astringent for the skin, and also as an antiseptic.

In addition to their usage as ornamentals and teas, hollies are also used as a source of wood. Because hollies are primarily of small stature, holly wood is used mainly for decorative inlays in furniture and in wood sculptures.