Ilex chinensis (Ilex purpurea)

Family: Aquifoliaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Ilex purpurea is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from September to December. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

None known. — Harvested fresh in season according to PFAF botanical monograph.

Habitat & North American Range

Evergreen broad-leaf forests, forest margins on mountain slopes at elevations of 500 - 1000 metres in China. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)