Holly
- The holly used to decorate homes, hotel lobbies and store windows at Christmas is the common holly, better known as English holly.
- All hollies are not evergreen. There are over 400 recorded species of holly; some are variegated.
- The plant has simple leaves and flowers, as well as small red berries with 10 seeds in them.
- Holly berries should not be ingested by humans as they are mildly toxic and can induce vomiting and diarrhea. However birds and other wild animals can eat the berries without any problem.
- The wood from the Holly plant is often used as the white chess pieces while ebony is used for the black pieces.
- Holly trees can grow from two to forty feet tall.
- Holly is a man's plant and is believed to bring protection and good fortune to men whereas Ivy is believed to do the same for women.
- Holly trees are either male or female. They both produce white blossoms but only the female tree produces the familiar red holly berries which are toxic and are dangerousif swallowed.
- Holly wreaths hung on a door or draped along a mantle represent welcome and long life to all who enter.
- Holly is believed to frighten off witches and protect the home from thunder and lightning.
- In West England it is said sprigs of holly around a young girl's bed on Christmas Eve are supposed to keep away mischievous little goblins.
- Holly is said to be the tree used to make Christ's cross. Legend has it that the other trees refused and splintered when touched by an ax whereas the holly remained true as a tree, and it is as a Passion symbol that the holly tree is seen in pictures of saints.