SafePlants

Ilex buergeri: Buerger Holly

Ilex buergeri, commonly known as Buerger holly, is an evergreen shrub or tree belonging to the holly family, Aquifoliaceae.

Considerations for Pets

• This holly produces small red berries on female plants.
• The plant has leathery leaves.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Ilex buergeri Miquel
• Family: Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family)
• Genus: Ilex
• Synonyms: Ilex subpuberula Miquel, Ilex buergeri f. subpuberula (Miquel) Loesener, Ilex buergeri f. glabra Loesener, Ilex buergeri v. rolfei
• Nomenclature: Described by Friedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel in 1868. The name is considered validly published.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Asia.
• Observed in South Korea, specifically at the Chollipo Arboretum (September 2011).

Morphology and Growth Habits

• Evergreen shrub or tree.
• Typically grows to a height of (1-)7-15 meters (approximately 22 to 49 feet), but can grow to 50 feet in some climates. Some specimens have been measured at 170 feet.
• Trunk diameter can reach approximately 30 cm (ca. 1 foot).
• Bark is black and smooth.
• Forms a tall, narrow, evergreen column.
• Fast-growing and conical in shape.
• Flowers from April to June.

Ecological Role

• Resistant to the Florida wax scale.

Genetic Information

• Voucher specimen H. Nagamasu 5369 contains chloroplast glutamine synthetase (nepGS) gene, exons 1 through 5 and partial cds nuclear gene for chloroplast.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The plant has resistance to Florida wax scale.

Further Information

• Tropicos: Tropicos
• The Plant List: Searchable database for plant names.
• IPNI (International Plant Names Index): https://www.ipni.org/
• Australian Plant Name Index: Database of Australian plant names.
• NYBG Virtual Herbarium: New York Botanical Garden herbarium.
• Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (France).
• Encyclopedia of Life: https://eol.org/
• GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility).
• NCBI Taxonomy checklist.
• JCRA photograph collection.