The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Location
Especially associated with the land of Hollin (which took its name from the great holly trees that grew there)
Species
Many species of Ilex,1 especially the common holly, Ilex aquifolium
Meaning
From Old English holen, thought to derive ultimately from an ancient root word meaning 'prick' (in reference to its spined leaves)

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About this entry:

  • Updated 30 August 2020
  • Updates planned: 1

Holly

An evergreen plant with glossy, spiny leaves and bright red berries. In Middle-earth, it was especially abundant in the land of Eregion or Hollin, which took its name from this tree.


Notes

1

Ilex is the generic name for most of the nearly five hundred different species commonly known as holly, of which the best known is the species Ilex aquifolium, with spiny leaves and bright red berries. Somewhat confusingly, when Frodo and Sam encounter ilex in Ithilien, this is not apparently a reference to holly. Rather, this seems to be Quercus ilex, the holm-oak or 'holly-oak', which is unrelated to actual holly (though its leaves look somewhat similar, hence its name).

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 30 August 2020
  • Updates planned: 1

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