Article Nº 0383 Plant Vol. I · p. 220
Canary holly (Ilex canariensis)
Original title: Azevinho (Ilex canariensis)
The native Canary holly is a shrub or small tree with white wood used in small joinery work. Its berried branches are used to decorate Christmas cribs.
A native shrub or small tree of the family Aquifoliaceae, found in the Ribeira de João Gomes and Ribeira de Machico, at Ribeiro Frio (‘cold brook’), etc. It has glabrous leaves, smooth-edged or spiny, white flowers gathered in axillary cymes, and round red fruits. The wood of this species is white and is used in some small joinery work. During the Christmas festivities it is customary to decorate cribs, or lapinhas, with holly branches bearing fruit.
Places mentioned