Common Name:

General Information

Ilex cerasifolia is a deciduous tree with a dense, low and wide crown; it can grow 4 - 7 metres tall. The short, cylindrical bole is usually crooked, it can be 25 - 40cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood.
Ilex cerasifolia does not appear to be threatened, nor does the population appear to be decreasing. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

Although no specific reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, Ilex species in general contain several potentially toxic compounds, particularly saponins, glycosides and triterpenoids. These compounds also often have a range of potential health benefits[, , ].
The berries are usually the part of the plant most likely to be toxic, though the degree of toxicity is usually low. Their bitter flavour usually prevents a person eating more than one or two, but even a small handful of the fruit eaten by a healthy adult is unlikely to cause more than feelings of nausea that can lead on to vomiting and diarrhoea[].
The compounds in the leaves are particularly interesting. The leaves of many Ilex species around the world are commonly used to make health-promoting teas that, when drunk on a regular basis, help to regulate bodily functions and can reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood-cholesterol levels etc (See Ilex paraguariensis or Ilex kaushue for examples)[]. Even these teas, however, if taken in very concentrated doses, can act as a laxative or cause vomiting. Indeed, several species are used by traditional peoples to induce vomiting as a means of purifying the body (see Ilex guayusa or Ilex vomitoria for examples)

Botanical References

Range

S. America - central and eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Found in forests, savannah and the transition zone between, in both open and shady situations; favouring deeper, well-drained soils of at least moderate fertility, but indifferent to the moisture levels in the soil[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun to moderate shade[]. Indifferent to moisture levels in the soil[]. Prefers a deep, well-drained soil[].
A slow-growing plant[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is fine-textured, straight-grained, moderately heavy, with poor mechanical properties and not durable. It can be used for internal applications in construction, for light cabinet making, tool handles, agricultural implements, toys and boxes[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Sow the seed in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A low germination rate can generally be expected from untreated seed, with the seed sprouting within 60 - 90 days[].

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