Common Name: Cape Holly

General Information

Ilex mitis is an evergreen tree with a straight, rounded canopy; it can range in size from 10 - 40 metres tall, though it is most likely to be 25 metres or less. The straight bole can be quite short, and can be up to 60cm in diameter[, , ].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for food and medicinal purposes, and for its high quality wood which is used locally. The bark is used commercially to make creams and lotions that are sold as skin care products[]. The bright red fruits and glossy leaves make this tree a great candidate for ornamental purposes[].
Ilex mitis has a very wide range and, although the population is in decline in some areas due to anthropegenic activity, the species regenerates well and is generally common across its range. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

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

Africa - widespread through much of tropical Africa, extending south to S. Africa and Madagascar.

Habitat

Montane forest, usually by streams[]. Banks of rivers and streams and moist spots in woods and forests[]. Found at elevations from sea level to 3,150 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in tropical and subtropical climates at elevations from sea level to 3,500 metres. It grows in areas where temperatures can range from -3°c up to a maximum of 34°c, and the mean annual rainfall is within the range 740 - 1,500mm[].
Grows best in a fertile, moist, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic[]. Ilex species generally tolerate most soils that are not water-logged[].
A fairly fast-growing tree, 80cm a year height increase being possible[].
The tree responds well to pruning, lopping and pollarding[].
The white flowers are sweet-scented[]. Honey from the tree is white and is very highly-rated in Kenya[, ].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

The small fruits are sometimes eaten[]. The globose, yellow-green drupe is 4 -7mm in diameter[].

The Masai in Kenya are reported to eat the bark and roots boiled up into a broth[] - though this is likely to be for medicinal purposes rather than for food[].

Medicinal

The bark is chewed for its purgative action[, ]. A decoction of the bark is used to cure constipation[], and is taken in the form of an enema to treat colic in children[].
A powder made from dried bark is inhaled to cure colds and wounds[].
The powdered bark can be applied topically to treat rashes, sores and wounds of the skin. It is also made into creams and ointments for this purpose[].
A preparation of the pounded bark and leaves is used to wash influenza patients[].

Agroforestry Uses:

There is a belief that the presence of this tree is an indication of underground water near the surface[].
This species regenerates well after land clearance[]. This makes it of potential use as a pioneer in restoring forest cover within its native range[].

Other Uses

When the leaves are rubbed together in water they give a lather, and this is sometimes used for washing the body, cleaning buckets etc[].

The whitish to grey-green wood is often attractively marked. It is close-grained, moderately hard, moderately heavy, and easily worked. It is said to 'blue' readily[]. The wood is used for many purposes, including furniture, grain mortars, pestles, brake-blocks, railway-sleepers, building construction and the spokes of wheels[, , , ]. Although used as timber, normally the trunk is too short to obtain long boards[].
The wood is burnt as a poor firewood when better fuels are not available[].

Propagation

Seed - fresh seed grows easily. Seed collected from the tree, or those fallen below the tree should be allowed to dry. They should then be sown into a tray. Seed should be covered lightly with the soil mix and then kept damp. Although germination can be erratic, seeds usually begin to germinate 8 - 20 days after sowing[].

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Captcha: if i have 3 bananas, and i eat them all, how many bananas did i just eat?