User:Klbaity18/Ilex cornuta

= Ilex cornuta =

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).

Description
Ilex cornuta is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that can grow up to 2.5 metres (8 ft) tall. It has been recorded as growing up to 7.6 metres (25 ft) tall. Leaves are rectangular that have between 3 to 4 spines. The leaves are simple and alternate on the stem. The leaves are glossy and leathery. Flowers begin to bloom during the early spring season and are a dull white color and have a fragrance. The flowers produce red berries that typically grow around an inch long and ripen in early fall and carry on through winter.

The bark is a light gray color and smooth. As it grows, the bark turns into a finely flaky appearance. The stem of Ilex cornuta is either a green color or a red/burgundy color depending on the season. The green stems turn slightly more red during the winter months.

Ilex cornuta is dioecious, meaning the flowers found on the shrub are either female or male. Male and female flowers are not found together on the same plant, so the plant is not self-fertile, it takes a male and a female plant to reproduce.

Distribution and Habitat
Ilex cornuta is native to the central and southeastern parts of China, Hainan, and Korea. Ilex cornuta was introduced to the United States and is currently considered invasive. It has been distributed along the eastern United States found most prominently in North Carolina, Alabama, and Kentucky.

Ilex cornuta is tolerant of most soils except those that are poorly drained. It can be grown in partial and full sun and is tolerant of the heat and humidity of the southern United States. The shrub is mostly found in areas that contain hills and ravines between 150-600 meters high. It can also be found widely along mountain ridges that have full sun.

Taxonomy
The following Ilex cornuta taxonomy classification has been accepted. The kingdom is Plantae which includes all plant life on earth. The subkingdom is Viridiplante and this includes all green plants. The superdivison class is called Embryophyta. The division and subdivision classes are Tracheophyta (vascular plants) and Spermatophytina (seed plants). I. cornuta class is the Magnoliopsida which includes all floweing plants. The order and family are Aquifoliales and Aquifoliaceae (hollies). The genus and species are Ilex L. (holly) and Ilex cornuta Lindl. & Paxton (chinese holly). The species name gives the two founders names as well (Lindl & Paxton).

Medicinal
Ilex cornuta has many notable medicinal uses. It is known for treating numerous health issues, like headaches, rheumatism, toothaches, and conjunctivitis. Hollies, in general, are known for their calming properties and have the ability to reduce fevers, arthritis, and swelling in the body.

The bright red berries of I. cornuta is poisonous to humans. Ingesting the berries have caused diarrhea or vomiting, but is rarely fatal. Modern scientist have been able to provide evidence that the Ilex cornuta has anti-inflammatory properties. The extracts of I. cornuta resulted in reduced levels of of biomarkers for inflammation, which may become a remedy in treating hypertension, rheumatism, and pain in general.

Landscape
Ilex cornuta is used for winter interests and drought tolerant gardens. They can be used for many different features including as a barrier, privacy, and hedges. The Chinese holly can attract bees, other pollinators, songbirds, and specialized bees. The biggest problem with Chinese holly in the landscape are its spines.

Conservation Status
According to the IUCN red list, the Ilex cornuta is of least concerned. Its population trend is considered stable during the last assessment in 2018.

References[edit]

 * 1) "Ilex cornuta - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
 * 2) "Ilex cornuta Horned Holly, Chinese holly PFAF Plant Database". pfaf.org. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
 * 3) "Ilex cornuta Lindl. & Paxton | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
 * 4) "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
 * 5) "Ilex cornuta (Chinese Holly, Horned Holly) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
 * 6) ^ Curtis, William, Ilex cornuta: Horned-leafed Holly, In: The Botanical Magazine: Or, Flower Garden Displayed Etc, Volume 84, Tab 5059, July 1, 1858. Fig. 1. Downloaded from Google Books May 26, 2017.
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 * 10) ^ Hillier Nurseries, The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs, David & Charles, 1998, p281
 * 11) ^ Phillips, R. & Rix, M., Shrubs, Macmillan, 1994, p277