The holly is a very easy-care and decorative garden and hedge plant. The shiny foliage has different colors depending on the variety, and the berries can be yellow, brown or black, but are usually red.
Are there hollies with blue berries and are they poisonous?
The holly usually has red berries, rarely blue ones. A similar plant with blue berries is the mahonia. The berries of the holly are poisonous; eating just two berries can cause symptoms of poisoning.
Are there plants that resemble holly?
There are some plants with blue berries that, at least at first glance, bear some resemblance to holly. These include, for example, the common or holly-leaved mahonia. It is often confused with the European holly as it also prefers the same location.
The Mahonia has similar dark green, shiny leaves with spines as the holly, but belongs to the barberry family. Their flowers are mostly yellow. Many parts of this plant are poisonous, but you can make jam from the berries. The mahonia could be an alternative to the very poisonous holly, especially in the family garden where small children and pets play.
Are holly berries edible?
Although the fruits of the holly are an important food for birds as they remain on the bush until winter, they are poisonous to humans. Eating just a few berries can be fatal for small children. Pets are also not allowed to eat the fruit. For dogs, two to three berries are considered a lethal dose.
What symptoms of poisoning does holly cause?
The symptoms of poisoning caused by Ilex berries are similar to those caused by other plants. Digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea occur. Later or in particularly sensitive people, cardiac arrhythmias, paralysis and kidney failure occur. Just two berries are enough to poison an adult.
The most important things in brief:
- blue berries rare on holly
- possible berry colors: yellow, brown, black, red
- most common berry color: red
- Holly fruits very poisonous, even for pets!
- just 2 berries are enough for symptoms of poisoning
- blue berry, similar looking plant: Common Oregon Mahonia
Tip
If you have a “holly” with blue-colored berries, then it may be the similar-looking common mahonia, also known as the holly-leaved mahonia. This plant usually blooms bright yellow.
