Not all leaves sting the same way
The holly holds differences even in its branches.
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Referred to Cabreira by Visit Cabeceiras, Ilex aquifolium has persistent leaves. Gulbenkian's record describes thorny margins, but sometimes smooth in older branches or individuals. Red fruits appear in female specimens and are toxic. A detail to observe, no spoon or taste. Flowering usually occurs between April and June; fruits ripen at the end of summer and can remain during winter, according to Gulbenkian.
The small white flowers pass more unnoticed than the fruits. The mistletoe is dioic: there are male and female individuals. This separation helps to understand why not all specimens have red fruits.
It is a slow growing shrub, which can exceed a century of life. Gulbenkian describes it in coals and shrubs, often on dark and moist slopes, with soils slightly acidic and rich in organic matter. Watching the plant therefore includes looking at the environment around it, beyond the contour of the leaves.
The photograph of DVG, registered in 2026-04-03, shows this species in Rio Douro. It opens the register to compare the visible details with the botanical description. The observation documents this encounter; it does not indicate that the plant is always visible in the same place.
Look at the whole plant
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Compare two red fruits
It looks like a leaf, but it is a branch →Other persistent leaves
The laurel has more than leaves →Observe change throughout the year
A tree, several visits →
Source and context
Visit Cabeceiras — natural heritage of Serra da Cabreira
Accessed:
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation — Ilex aquifolium, characteristics and habitat
Accessed:
iNaturalist — Ilex aquifolium, DVG observation in 2026-04-03
Accessed:
Editorial summary; the date of consultation is not the date of the facts.