L Aquifolium Varieties 



ferox and crassifolia, have been confused, though 

 there is no resemblance between them. 



Another very old variety is I. A. fructu-luteo, 

 for in Cole's History of Plants, published in 

 1657, he says, " there may be said to be three 

 sorts of Holly: (i) the Holly- tree without 

 prickles ; (2) the Holly with prickly leaves ; and 

 (3) the Holly with yellow berries." The latter 

 he states was found growing wild in Wiltshire on 

 the estate of Lord Arundel near Wardour Castle. 

 From this it would appear that Parkinson's 

 echinatum was unknown to Cole. 



The numerous varieties can be formed into 

 several distinct groups, which may be recognised 

 by means of size, shape, colour or spininess of 

 leaves, whilst colour of stem also enters into the 

 distinctive marks of some forms. Several of the 

 most distinct varieties of all owe their origin to 

 I. A. ferox, for although widely removed from 

 that variety, connecting links can be found which 

 point plainly to a succession of sports. Thus on 

 one hand we have crispa, a sport from ferox with 

 curly leaves and few spines ; scotica, a sport from 

 crispa, with moderately flat leaves which have 

 usually entire margins but with evidences of 

 dentation noticeable here and there ; ovata, a 

 most distinct variety, but which gives ample 

 evidence of having been a sport from scotica ; 

 whilst from ovata typical " Common Holly" 

 leaves are sometimes borne, though it rarely, if 



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