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- 



HOLLY (Ilex Aquifolium, L.) 



times more or less dioecious, 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 i o to 30 ft. is the usual height of the tree. Flowers may be 



