Ilicifolius
/ih-lih-sih-FOH-lee-us/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: ilicifolia, ilicifolium
A resemblance epithet for plants with dark, glossy, spiny-toothed leaves recalling a holly. Appears as ilicifolius (masculine), ilicifolia (feminine), or ilicifolium (neuter).
Etymology
From the genus Ilex (holly) + Latin folium (leaf), meaning "holly-leaved."
Example
“Osmanthus ilicifolius (holly osmanthus) is the classic example — its spiny, holly-like leaves causing long-standing confusion with true hollies.”