HOLLY 31 
its twisted form may serve to prevent the leaves being weighted with 
snow, a character common to many deciduous trees and shrubs. The 
tree is compact, and often makes dense bushes. There are black, 
minute, leaflike organs, pointed, and functionless. 
The flowers are in umbel-like cymes, many-flowered, on short 
stalks, which are in the axils. The flowers are white or cream colour. 
Though frequently the flowers are complete the plants may be some- 
Photo. Messrs. Flatters & Garnett 
Hoy (/lex Aquifolinm, L.) 
times more or less dicecious, and are variable in the structure of the 
flower. The sepals are egg-shaped, downy, 4—5-lobed, and do not 
fall. The corolla is wheel-shaped, with petals united below or distinct, 
inversely egg-shaped, hollow above. There are 4 stigmas which are 
stalkless, free or united. The 4 stamens are attached to the corolla 
with awl-like stalks and oblong anthers. The ovary is 4-—6-celled. 
The drupe or berry is round, and contains a 4~5-celled stone or 
4 stones. They are orange or scarlet when ripe. The seeds have 
a membranous outer coat. 
From 10 to 30 ft. is the usual height of the tree. Flowers may be 
