Aquifolium Research Paper

Ilex aquifolium, commonly known as English Holly, is a plant enjoyed by many due to its evergreen leaves, and festive, typically red berries (“English Holly”, 2014). Originating from Europe, Asia and Africa (“Ilex aquifoilum”), I. aquifolium is popular in the US, and is grown commercially, especially around Christmas time. However, in Hawaii, among other states and countries, it is considered as invasive species (“Noxious Weeds, English Holly”), as it thrives at the expense of native plants. It’s a threat to Hawaii’s environment because it strongly and effectively competes for resources, grows densely, blocks the sun from other plants, and is extremely difficult to remove once it has entered the environment.
I. aquifolium is notorious for being able to live in environments with many different, sometimes unusual factors. For example, it can survive in soil with variant pH, texture, under shade, and even in …show more content…
aquifolium negatively impacts many native plant species, but one factor makes it especially invasive; it is practically impossible to remove once introduced. While the berries are toxic to humans, birds can safely consume them, hence effectively spreading the seeds around the world (“English Holly, Bush Invader”). One problem with this is that I. aquifolium doesn't need sunlight to grow, so the seeds can germinate pretty much anywhere they land (Watts, 2015). In addition to this, it can reproduce asexually through suckering, in which roots create new shoots, and layering, the process of shoots growing new roots (“English Holly, Bush Invader”). This means if any damage comes to the plant, a new plant can arise, taking even more resources from native plants. This makes removing I. aquifolium especially difficult, since leaving even a small part of the plant can cause a new one to grow. It is easier to eliminate I. aquifolium if the plant is removed as a sapling (Poorter, 2008), although in many cases, by the time it is discovered, it has already