Season Window
01 Dec – 28 FebWoodland, hedgerows, old gardens and shaded slopes
Winter foliage and berries
Holly
Ilex aquifolium
Its winter colour belongs to birds and woodland tradition, not the kitchen.
Harvest
How we meet this plant
Observe in place and leave berries for birds; avoid stripping branches for decoration.
Preparation
At the kitchen table
No home medicinal or food preparation is recommended.
Community Use
Why we teach it
A winter example of a culturally important plant that must not be treated as edible.
Safety
Holly berries are poisonous to people. Keep berries away from children and pets and do not ingest any part as a remedy.