Ilex cornuta

carissahollyfullchinesehollyfullrobinhollyfull
[Varieties from left to right: Carissa, Chinese, Robin]
(Photos by Bucky Shiver)

View the Location on Campus

Taxonomy (1,2)

Classification: Angiosperm, dicot
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Common name: Carissa Holly (Carissa), Chinese Holly (Chinese), Robin Holly (hybrid)
Varieties on campus: Carissa, Chinese, Chinese holly/English holly hybrid

General Information (1,2,3)

Region of Origin: Eastern Asia (Carissa and Chinese), hybrid between English holly and Chinese holly (Robin)
USDA Plants Hardiness Zones: 7-9 (Carissa and Chinese), 6-9 (Robin)
Growth Habit: Shrub

  • Size: 8-25 feet (Carissa and Chinese), 15-20 feet (Robin)
  • Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
  • Flowering: late March to early April

Diagnostic Characteristics

Leaves (1,2,3)

  • Arrangement: Alternate
  • Simple/Compound: Simple
  • Shape: Ovate (Carissa)
  • Size: 2-4 inches (Carissa); 3-5 inches (Chinese and Robin) 
  • Other: Leathery; 5-7 spikes (Chinese); 7-9 spikes (Robin); new spring growth is red (Robin)

carissahollyleafchinesehollyleafrobinhollyleaf
[Varieties from left to right: Carissa, Chinese, Robin]
(Photos by Bucky Shiver)

Stem/Bark (1,2,3)

  • Color: Gray

carissahollybarkchinesehollystemrobinhollystem
[Varieties from left to right: Carissa, Chinese, Robin]
(Photos by Bucky Shiver)

Flower (1,2)

  • Perfect/Imperfect: Imperfect
  • Color: White (Carissa and Robin); Yellow (Chinese)
  • Size: 1/4-1/3 inch

carissahollyflowerrobinhollyflower
[Varieties from left to right: Carissa, Robin]
(Photos by Bucky Shiver)

Fruit (1)

  • Size: 1/4-1/3 inch
  • Color: Red

Horticultural Information (1,2,3)

  • Light: Full sun-part shade (Carissa and Chinese), Full sun (Robin)
  • pH: Slightly alkaline
  • Maintenance: Easy to care for (Robin)
  • Landscape Uses: Home foundation (Carissa and Chinese), privacy screen (Robin)
  • Other: Heat and drought tolerant (Chinese and Carissa)

Interesting Facts (1)

  • Displays tremendous heat tolerance, surviving worst drought in US history (Carissa and Chinese)
  • Good parental species for transferring heat tolerance to progeny (Carissa and Chinese)

References

1) Dirr, Michael A. (1990). Manual of woody landscape plants. Champaign, Illinois. Stipes publishing company.
2) monrovia.com (2013) Retrieved 4/2/13 from http://www.monrovia.com/
3) Southernlivingplants.com (2009). Retrieved 4/2/13 from http://southernlivingplants.com/expert_advice/guide/striking_foliage_colorful_combinations

Prepared by Bucky Shiver as a course requirement for BIOL 3630/5630, Spring 2013
Edited by Jessica Bartek