Family Aquifoliaceae Scientific name Ilex cornuta Rank Species | Genus Ilex Higher classification Holly | |
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Similar Holly, Aquifoliaceae, Ilex pernyi, Ilex crenata, Osmanthus heterophyllus | ||
Ilex cornuta, commonly known as Chinese holly or horned holly, is a slow-growing, densely foliaged evergreen shrub in the Aquifoliaceae plant family. It is native to eastern China and Korea and attains a height of about 3 metres (9.8 ft). The leaves are usually 5-spined (sometimes 4), between 3.5 cm and 10 cm long, oblong and entire. The fruits are red berries, which are larger than those of the European Holly (Ilex aquifolium).
Ilex cornuta is valued horticulturally for its attractive and distinctive rectangular foliage and for its large red berries. Several cultivars and hybrids have been introduced by the horticultural trade, including 'Burfordii' (compact and free-fruiting), 'Dazzler' (large fruits), 'Dwarf Burfordii' (particularly compact), and 'Nellie R. Stevens' (a hybrid with I. aquifolium, very free-fruiting).
Ilex cornuta and its cultivars will tolerate a wide variety of soils and will grow in sun or shade.
