We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Ilex asprella - (Hook.&Arn.)Champ.

Common Name
Family Aquifoliaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Although no specific reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, the fruits of at least some members of this genus contain saponins and are slightly toxic. They can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and stupor if eaten in quantity[274].
Habitats Hillsides, wild places, open woods or shrub thickets[147]. Sparse forests on slopes, shrubby areas, roadsides at elevations of 400 - 1000 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Ilex asprella


http://www.flickr.com/photos/plj/3496453031/
Ilex asprella
http://www.flickr.com/photos/plj/

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Ilex asprella is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). It is in leaf all year, in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiphlogistic  Depurative  Febrifuge  Sialagogue  VD

The root is antiphlogistic, depurative, febrifuge and sialogogue[147, 218]. A decoction is used in the treatment of high fever in colds, laryngitis, acute tonsillitis and traumatic injuries[147]. It is also applied externally to boils and abscesses[147]. The leaf is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea and snakebite[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this plant and do not know if it will be hardy in this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils so long as they are not water-logged[200]. Resents root disturbance, especially as the plants get older[11]. It is best to place the plants into their permanent positions as soon as possible, perhaps giving some winter protection for their first year or two[K]. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back into old wood if required[188]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. It can take 18 months to germinate. Stored seed generally requires two winters and a summer before it will germinate and should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. Scarification, followed by a warm stratification and then a cold stratification may speed up the germination time[78, 80]. The seedlings are rather slow-growing. Pot them up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame for their first year. It is possible to plant them out into a nursery bed in late spring of the following year, but they should not be left here for more than two years since they do not like being transplanted. Alternatively, grow them on in their pots for a second season and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Give them a good mulch and some protection for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of almost ripe wood with a heel, August in a shaded position in a cold frame. Leave for 12 months before potting up. Layering in October. Takes 2 years.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Ilex aculeolata Shrub3.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Ilex aquifoliumHolly, English holl, Christmas Holly, Common Holly, English HollyShrub9.0 5-9 SLMHFSNDM224
Ilex cassineCassine, Dahoon, Cassine HollyTree10.0 7-11 SLMHSNM112
Ilex chapaensis Shrub10.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Ilex coriaceaLarge GallberryShrub3.0 6-9  LMHSNM10 
Ilex cornutaHorned Holly, Chinese hollyShrub4.0 7-9 MLMHSNM12 
Ilex crenataJapanese Holly, Box Leaved HollyShrub5.0 6-8 SLMHSNM103
Ilex glabraInkberryShrub3.0 3-7 SLMHSNM102
Ilex integraMochi TreeTree6.0 6-9  LMHSNM10 
Ilex latifoliaTarajoTree10.0 6-9  LMHSNM10 
Ilex macropoda Tree13.0 6-9  LMHSNM10 
Ilex opacaAmerican HollyShrub15.0 4-8 SLMHSNM223
Ilex pedunculosa Shrub10.0 4-8  LMHSNM113
Ilex pubescens Shrub3.5 7-10  LMHSNM02 
Ilex purpurea Tree12.0 7-10  LMHSNM02 
Ilex rotundaKurogane hollyTree20.0 6-9  LMHSNM01 
Ilex verticillataWinterberry, Common winterberryShrub2.0 3-7 SLMHSNMWe13 
Ilex vomitoriaYaupon Holly,Shrub6.0 6-9 SLMHSNM113
Ilex x altaclerensisHollyShrub4.0 5-9 SLMHSNM003
Ilex yunnanensis Shrub4.0 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Quercus ilexHolly Oak, Evergreen OakTree25.0 7-10 SLMHSNM523
Quercus ilex ballotaHolm OakTree25.0 6-9 SLMHSNM523

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

(Hook.&Arn.)Champ.

Botanical References

266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Oscar Sierra   Tue Mar 18 2008

This is also the 1st ingredient in a patent Chinese Medicinal Herb formula called "Gan Mao Ling" made by Plum Flower Brand. This herb is not listed in Dan Bensky's Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Media, Revised Edition, 2003. I have used this formula to successfully treat a "cold" with phlegm and heat signs. Mark Taylor in Chinese Patent Medicines, A Beginer's Guide, 1998, describes this as "the most popular and effective Chinese common cold pill available in the US because it treats both colds and flu." He also states "this is the only brand that he can recommend. Other versions have been tested and have been found to contain pharmaceutical drugs and synthetic dyes." -- Oscar Sierra TCM Herbalist Atlanta, Ga

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Ilex asprella  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.