What is Ilex canariensis?
Ilex canariensis, commonly known as holly or aceviƱo, is a perennial tree species endemic to the archipelagos of the Canary Islands and Madeira, included within the family AquifoliaceaeIt is a medium-to-large tree or shrub especially adapted to the humid ecosystems of the laurel forest and the bay forest, and is key to shaping the forest landscape of the Canary Islands and Madeira. This species has played a fundamental role in the culture, economy, and biodiversity of these islands, being valued both for its botanical characteristics and its many traditional uses.
Most notable botanical characteristics
El holly It presents a great morphological variability depending on the environmental conditions in which it develops, which makes it especially unique among the species of the laurel forest.
- Size and bearing: It usually reaches between 6 and 10 meters high, although it can grow to over 15-20 meters in optimal conditions, especially in dense, humid forests. The trunk is straight, robust, cylindrical, and can reach up to 50 cm in diameter. Its bark is smooth or slightly scaly and light gray, cracking with age.
- Cup and branching: The crown is dense, wide and highly branched, with foliage of a color dark green, which provides shade and humidity to the environment where it lives.
- Leaves: Its leaves are persistent, that is, they remain green all year round. They are simple, alternating and consistency leathery, giving them a leather-like texture. They measure between 5-9 cm long and 2,5-4 cm wide, being a deep, shiny green on the upper surface and somewhat paler on the underside. They usually have the full edge (without teeth or spines), although young specimens may have small spines. The apex is usually blunt or rounded.
- Flores: The holly is a species dioecious, which means there are both male and female individuals. The flowers are small, white, with 4-5 petals slightly fused at the base. They are grouped in axillary and subterminal inflorescences. The male and female flowers are on separate plants, which favors forest biodiversity and cross-pollination via insects.
- Fruit: Produce drupes or spherical berries about 8-10 mm in diameter, bright red in color that turns purple or black as it ripens. They contain 4 to 6 hard seeds and kidney-shaped and remain on the tree for several months, serving as food for numerous animals.
Habitat and geographic distribution
El Ilex canariensis It is a representative tree of the ecosystem of laurel and is found in places with high environmental humidity. It prefers deep, fertile soils, under the influence of the trade winds, at altitudes between 500 and 1200 meters, although it may exceed these ranges in some places.
- Presence in the Canary Islands: It is a native species of the western and central islands of the archipelago: La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Absent from the more arid eastern islands.
- Presence in Madeira: It is found on the island of Madeira, where there is a distinct subspecies (Ilex canariensis subsp. holly).
- Habitats: Grows in slopes, ravines, cliffs, laurel forests, fayal-brezal and humid pine forestsIn Gran Canaria, for example, it is abundant in El Brezal del Palmital, Los Tiles de Moya, and Riscos de Guayedra. In the Monteverde region, it appears mixed with other emblematic species such as bay, linden, viƱƔtigo, and barbusano.
Subspecies and variability
Within the Ilex canariensis At least two accepted subspecies are distinguished:
- Ilex canariensis subsp. canariensis: It is the typical and most widespread form in the Canary Islands.
- Ilex canariensis subsp. azevinhoFound in Madeira and, in the Canary Islands, only in Tenerife and La Gomera. It is distinguished by its leaves, which can reach up to 9 cm long and 3 cm wide, and by its oval-shaped fruits with long stems.
Ecological value and function in the ecosystem
Ilex canariensis It plays a crucial role in the humid forests of the Canary Islands and Madeira.
- Fruit production: Its berries are eaten by birds (common blackbird, robin, endemic pigeons, among others), which contributes to seed dispersal.
- Vegetative regenerationThis species is capable of forming suckers at the base of the trunk, which allows the adult individual to be replaced by new shoots and promotes persistence in the habitat. This mechanism explains the scarcity of seedlings compared to the large number of seeds produced.
- Shelter and food: Provides shelter for native wildlife and helps maintain the necessary ambient humidity for the balance of the forest.
Traditional uses and exploitations
The importance of the holly tree in Canarian and Madeiran popular culture is indisputable, given the variety of uses its wood, bark, and branches have had throughout history.
- Wood: It is valued for its hardness and durability. It has traditionally been used for:
- Manufacture of utensils and farming implements.
- Firewood and charcoal for domestic use.
- Manufacture of parts for sugar presses, sugar export crates, fences, channels, and supports for water conveyance.
- Spokes or spokes from cart wheels, watering troughs and agricultural tools.
- Making spears, clubs and poles for traditional activities such as shepherd's jump and the stick game.
- Cortex: It has been used for purposes healing in folk medicine. It was also used to dye fabrics, although the resulting color tended to fade over time.
- Ornamental uses: Its glossy foliage and showy red berries have led to it being occasionally valued as ornamental plant in collectors' gardens and green spaces.
Historical use and ethnobotany
The use of Ilex canariensis It dates back to Aboriginal times, as demonstrated by archaeological remains and ethnobotanical studies. The following are known:
- Funerary planks and weapons made by ancient inhabitants of the islands (such as the Gomeros).
- Firewood used on all islands where it grows naturally.
- Historical records on the production of wood for export crates and elements of the traditional sugar industry.
Furthermore, its common name (acebiƱo/aceviƱo) comes from the Portuguese "azevinho", reflecting the cultural relationship with Madeira and the linguistic influence received.
Etymology and taxonomic classification
Name ilex comes from the Latin term that the Romans gave to the oak (Quercus ilex), due to the similarity of its foliage to that of the European holly. The epithet canariensis refers to its geographical origin, the Canary Islands. Within plant taxonomy, it belongs to the Kingdom Plantae, division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Celastrales, and family Aquifoliaceae.
Popular name and presence in culture
The holly tree has left its mark on toponymy and popular culture:
- It has given its name to towns such as Los AceviƱos in La Gomera.
- In El Hierro it is also occasionally known as cƔrisco, although this name is usually reserved for Persea indicates.
- It is part of stories, traditions and popular games.
Conservation and current status
El Ilex canariensis It is classified as a species of "least concern" by international organizations, due to its widespread distribution in protected areas. However, its use is regulated by regional authorities to prevent overexploitation and ensure the persistence of natural populations. Many of its populations are located within the Canary Islands Network of Protected Natural Areas, contributing to the conservation of humid forest ecosystems.
The holly, or Ilex canariensis, stands as a symbol of the biological and cultural wealth of the Canary Islands and Madeira. Its presence in the laurel forest landscapes, its ecological value for island fauna, and the diversity of its traditional uses make it an essential species for understanding the identity and sustainability of these island territories.
