Holly is an evergreen plant famous for its glossy, dark green leaves with sharp, pointed edges and bright red berries. These distinctive features make holly instantly recognizable, especially during winter when many other plants have lost their leaves.

Holly has been a symbol of winter celebrations for thousands of years. Ancient Romans gave holly as gifts during their midwinter festivals, and early Christians adopted it as a Christmas decoration. Today, you'll see holly wreaths on doors, holly sprigs on holiday cards, and holly patterns on wrapping paper throughout December.

The plant's prickly leaves serve an important purpose: they protect the holly from being eaten by deer and other animals. Interestingly, leaves higher up on mature holly trees, where animals can't reach, often grow smooth without points. The red berries feed winter birds, though they're mildly poisonous to humans.

Holly grows as both bushes and trees, some reaching over 50 feet tall. Dozens of holly species grow around the world, and gardeners prize certain varieties for their ornamental beauty. The wood is dense and white, sometimes used for detailed carving or inlay work in fine furniture.