Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Are Burford holly berries poisonous?
QUESTION:
We have several large burford holly plants with berries, on our church grounds.
We have been told that some holly berries are poisonous. Can you assist me in
defining whether burford holly berries are poisonous, toxic, etc., and to what
extent?
ANSWER:
I am kind of releuctant to say much about holly, because that common name is
applied to a lot of different kinds of plants from a variety of families. As
common as it is in the South, I am not familiar with the specific toxic
properties of Burford Holly, but I am going to assume that you have Ilex
cornuta 'Burfordii Nana'. Holly species (member of the genus Ilex) contain
caffeine, theophylline and related compounds as well as some toxic glycosides
that cause vomiting and gastrointestinal problems. At high doses, with some
species, the GI symptoms and CNS depressing effects of unknown principles can
out weigh the stimulatory effects of the caffeine-like compounds. You don't want
kids eating the holly berries - it is unlikely to kill them, but they will be
pretty sick.
Some holly species are used for beverages (mate in So. America for example)
without too much trouble. I don't know where burford falls in the poison to food
gradient, but I wouldn't eat any.