ilex
Spiny evergreen shrub
Ilex is the genus name for holly, the shrub or tree with glossy, often spiny leaves and bright red berries.
The term appears in botanical and horticultural contexts: The garden featured several ilex varieties.
In older usage, ilex specifically meant the holm oak, an evergreen oak native to the Mediterranean.
Spiny-leaved winter shrub
- spinyHaving sharp points
- glossySmooth and shiny
- shrubSmall woody plant
- ornamentalFor beauty, not function
hedging · variegated · inkberry · winterberry · English holly · evergreen · berries · garden
Tree's photosynthetic organs
- evergreenRetains foliage year-round
- glossySmooth and shiny
- spinyHaving sharp points
- leatheryResembling animal hide
margins · variegated · chlorophyll · photosynthesis · foliage · perennial · waxy · serrated
Winter nativity celebration
- wreathDecorative foliage circle
- garlandDecorative strand of foliage
- festiveCheerfully celebratory
- decorationObject adding visual appeal
druids · Celtic · mythology · protection · fertility · eternity · warding · pagan
Seed-containing pit fruits
- redPrimary color, warm
- ripenReach edible maturity
- autumnalOf the harvest season
- ornamentalFor beauty, not function
Taxonomic rank above species
- taxonomyScience of categorical arrangement
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
- cultivarBred plant variety
- classificationSystematic grouping by traits
nomenclature · systematics · phylogeny · morphology · dicotyledonous · angiosperms · woody · shrubs
Dense deciduous timber
- fine-grainedComposed of minute particles
- paleLacking color intensity
- denseClosely packed together
- carvingShaping by cutting away
inlay · turnery · woodworking · engraving · chess pieces · marquetry
holly
Spiny-leaved winter shrub
ornamental · hedging · variegated · inkberry · winterberry · English holly · evergreen · berries · garden · landscape
leaves
Tree's photosynthetic organs
leathery · margins · variegated · chlorophyll · photosynthesis · foliage · perennial · waxy · serrated · alternate
Christmas
Winter nativity celebration
decoration · druids · Celtic · mythology · protection · fertility · eternity · warding · pagan · winter solstice
drupes
Seed-containing pit fruits
ornamental · bird food · toxic · showy · clusters
genus
Taxonomic rank above species
classification · nomenclature · systematics · phylogeny · morphology · dicotyledonous · angiosperms · woody · shrubs · biodiversity
hardwood
Dense deciduous timber
- fine-grainedComposed of minute particles
- paleLacking color intensity
- denseClosely packed together
carving · inlay · turnery · woodworking · engraving · chess pieces · marquetry