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Ilex cornuta, commonly known as Chinese holly[1] or horned holly,[2] is a slow-growing, densely foliaged evergreen shrub in the Aquifoliaceae plant family. Ilex cornuta is valued horticultural for its attractive and distinctive rectangular foliage and for its large red berries. Ilex cornuta and its cultivars will tolerate a wide variety of soils and will grow in sun or shade.

Introduction Ilex cornuta, also known as Chinese holly is a shrub. The berries of the Chinese holly are larger in size as compared to its close relative Ilex aquifolium, also known as European Holly. This plant is considered invasive in North America, and has the ability to tolerate a fairly wide range of environments. Description Ilex cornuta is a shrub to small tree with alternating leaves. The leaves are evergreen and have sharp points along the leaf margin. They are elliptical in shape, and are between 1 1/2 to 3 inches long. The leaves have two different colors, the top of the leaves are dark, green and shiny, while the under part of the leaf are a lighter green and have more of a matte sheen to them. The fruit is classified as a drupe, and they range from 1/3 to 1/2 inches in diameter[7]. These fruits occur in clusters of 4-8 fruits per cluster. This plant is dioecious, which means the male and female plants grow separately. The flowers are small and white. Each flower has four petals and they have bi-radial symmetry[2].

Taxonomy Ilex cornuta is nested in the Aquifoliales order and the family Aquifoliaceae. It was resolved as close relative to Ilex leucolada or Ilex peryni in a molecular phylogeny[8]. This plant can be differentiated from many similar species by the fruit. The berry like fruits are larger in comparison to those of the Ilex aquifolium[2]. Also, while Ilex cornuta has fine, flakey bark, Ilex aquifolium as smooth bark[2]. The twig of Chinese Holly is slender and green, where as European Holly has a pubescent, reddish brown twig[2]. The leaf sizes for the most part overlap, however European Holly leaves can be up to an inch longer. The flowers of Ilex cornuta are a pale white, while those of European Holly are more green-tinted in color[1]. Distribution and Habitat Ilex cornuta is native to Korea and China, however, it is also an invasive species in the United States. The plant thrives in sunny areas, but can also grow in partly shaded areas[1]. The plant is extremely tolerable to drought conditions, making it capable of persisting through dry winter months and can survive cold winter temperatures.[7]. This plant grows better when in sandy, dry soils, but it can still grow in soils that are not well-drained[2].

Horticulture This is considered a "typical garden" plant. It persists and spreads in the United States due to plantings in gardens[2]. The fruits mature in the fall. However, the fruit can persist through the winter, which is mainly attractive to birds. Throughout the colder seasons, birds such as wild turkeys and northern bobwhites favor these type of fruit[7]. Also, Ilex cornuta is a favored site for bird nesting places[7].

Invasive
This plant is not native to the United States, and without fervent pruning it will quickly become overgrown. This plant is not widespread, in fact, it has only been reported in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina[4].

Toxicity
While this is a very popular food among birds, it is not recommended that humans or household pets, such as cats or dogs, ingest the berry-like fruits of Ilex cornuta. It has been reported that the holly family as a whole is known to contain saponines[8]. Saponines are a form of glucoside, which are known to have foaming characteristics. When only a few of the fruits are ingested, it has been reported that severe gastrointestinal upset may occur. This can include vomiting and diarrhea, and it is common to see drooling in animals. Animals may also experience scratches and scrapes in the mouth and throat if the spiny leaves are ingested, which can lead to head shaking and also lip smacking[8].