Quercus Ilex

Quercus ilex, the Holm Oak or Holly Oak is a large evergreen oak native to the Mediterranean region. It takes its name from holm, an ancient name for holly. It is known by the names azinheira in Portuguese, encina in Spanish, carrasca in Aragonese, alzina in Catalan, leccio in Italian, chêne vert or yeuse in French (in Provence it is commonly known as l'eouvé), česvina in Croatian, črničevje in Slovenian, pırnal meşesi in Turkish, is-siġra tal-ballut in Maltese and sindiyānah (سِنْدِيَانَة) in Arabic. The ancient Greeks called it πρῖνος. It is a member of the white oak section of the genus, with acorns that mature in a single summer. It was first introduced to the United Kingdom in the 16th century. The first trees to be planted from acorns in the United Kingdom are still to be found growing within the stately grounds of Mamhead Park, Devon. They are uncommonly fine examples and several of these trees are 3 m (10 ft) in circumference, at 1 m (3 ft) from the ground; and one of them measures 4 m (13 ft 6 in) in circumference.