American Holly is a festive-looking plant this time of year that provides food for a variety of wildlife, and, as Native American communities discovered it is also useful medicinally. Native Americans also found many practical uses for this attractive tree. It is documented that Native Americans used the wood of this tree for different applications and that the berries were used for buttons and barter. The holly genus illex includes almost 500 species that are grouped in the family Aquifoliaceae. The genus is found in Europe, North America, mountainous regions of Asia, and South America.
American Holly or llex opaca can be found in the south-central and eastern parts of the United States including Connecticut. It can be found as far south as central Florida and west to Missouri and Texas. The bark of this evergreen tree is smooth and light grey in color, older trees are darker in color and develop warts. Branch bark is light green and smooth, while twigs are grey or brown and smooth, and young shoots are light green. Leaves are shiny green with a stiff leather-like texture. They have dramatically serrated leaves that have a classic toothed appearance. Hollies are dioecious, so flowers are distinctly male (staminate) or female (pistillate). Each flower has four to six white petals that bloom on separate plants and cross-pollinate to produce fruit on the female tree. Pollination is carried out by a variety of insects. Fertile female flowers produce dupes or berries that mature in the fall. The berries that mature in October and keep until the spring are bright red and spherical in shape.
Medicinal Uses of American Holly
Although these berries may be beautiful, they are mildly toxic to humans and some animals. In the Southeast, it has been documented that Native Americans collected and used holly berries as decorations. Many communities carved spoons, cooking tools, and buttons from the wood and traded them. The berries were also used to make a dye. There were also many medicinal uses for this tree, Alabama for example made a decoction from the bark and used it as a wash for sore eyes. The Catawba made an infusion of the leaves and used it to treat skin sores. They also made a decoction of the leaves to treat measles The Cherokee chewed the berries to treat colic and used the leaves to scratch muscles that were sore or cramped. They also made a decoction of the leaves and used them as drops for sore eyes. The Koasati made an infusion from the bark and rubbed and used it to treat spots that were itchy.
Did You Know...
It is said that American Holly was a favorite of George Washington and the hollies he planted are still evident today at Mount Vernon.
The first scientific observation of the American Holly tree was in 1744.
Ancient Roman society used holly to ward off lightning strikes and often included it when giving gifts.
Druids used holly as a hair ornament and believe it offers woodland fairies shelter.
The use of holly around Christmas became popular after the release of The Night Before Christmas in 1822.
American Holly is the state tree of Delaware.
One pound of American Holly berries contains around 28.000 seeds.
The berries are an important source of winter food for many birds including the American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Grey Catbird, and Northern Mockingbird.
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