Family: Aquifoliaceae Form: Shrub / Tree Origin: Native to south and west Europe, west Asia and North Africa. Weed Type(s): Weed, Noxious Weed, Quarantine Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed

Photo: T. Rudman, DPIWE Tas

Notes: Holly is an upright evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 15m tall. It has dark green, prickly leaves and small off-white flowers borne in the axils of the leaves. In most cases male and female flowers are borne on different trees. Female flowers develop into rounded glistening dark red berries which in the northern hemisphere appear in October November and are traditionally associated with Christmas. In Australia they appear in autumn.

The berries are eaten by birds which disperse the seeds into bushland. Damage to roots may stimulate suckering and lower branches may root where they touch the ground, forming dense clumps.

Holly is naturalised in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, usually in wet forest where it is a serious threat to native species. It is still sold from many nurseries.

References:

Randall, R. P. (2002). A Global Compendium of Weeds. R. G. & F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.
Csurhes, S. and Edwards, R. (1998). Potential Environmental Weeds in Australia. National Weeds Program, Environment Australia, Canberra.
Blood, K. (2001). Environmental Weeds. A Field Guide for S E Australia, C. H. Jerram & Associates-Science Publishers, Mt Waverley ,Victoria.