Cape holly (Ilex mitis, Rep. Brit. Assoc. Advancem. Sci. 1885: 1081 (1886))

Family: Aquifoliaceae

Author: (L.) Radlk.

Bibliography: Rep. Brit. Assoc. Advancem. Sci. 1885: 1081 (1886)

Year: 1886

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ilex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & S. Africa, Madagascar

Description

Cape holly, scientifically named Ilex mitis, is a prominent species renowned for its unique attributes and ecological significance. Belonging to the family Aquifoliaceae, this versatile plant is widely dispersed across tropical and southern Africa as well as Madagascar.

Characterized by its elegant and lustrous foliage, Ilex mitis exhibits evergreen leaves that render it an attractive addition to both natural landscapes and cultivated gardens. Its leaves are typically dark green, and their glossy texture contrasts beautifully with the bright red berries that the plant produces. These vibrant berries not only enhance its visual appeal but also serve as a food source for various bird species, thereby contributing to the biodiversity of its native regions.

The wood of the Cape holly is also valued, often used in furniture making and other woodcrafts due to its decent workability and aesthetic quality. Given its ecological and economic importance, the Cape holly plays a pivotal role in the regions it inhabits, balancing both natural ecosystems and human utility.

Its botanical significance has been recognized since it was cataloged in 1886, underlining its long-standing value in both scientific and horticultural communities. The historical context provided by such documentation helps underscore the plant’s enduring presence and its adaptation across diverse environments.

Overall, the Cape holly, with its enduring greenery and beneficial berries, stand as a testament to the rich flora of Africa and Madagascar. The persistence and proliferation of Ilex mitis across these regions underscore its adaptability and ecological importance, making it a cherished species both in the wild and in cultivation.

Common Names

Eng: cape holly, african holly
En: Cape holly, African Holly
Af: Without
Ar: بهشية طرية
Ff: Ndiyamhi

Synonyms

• Sideroxylon mite (L.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Free State (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Lesotho (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Apr 19, 2016 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 19, 2016 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 19, 2016 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 26, 2022 by Kannan SAHAJAN C. KANNAN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 19, 2016 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Leaf

Taken Mar 16, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Mar 16, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Mar 16, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Dec 26, 2020 by Robin Keith (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5533588)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:83531-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ilex mitis (L.) Radlk.)

Specifications

Growth