Amami holly - Amami holly

...Male plants also produce a few fruits. Amami holly I. dimorphophylla Koidz., which grows on Amami Oshima, also has sharp thorns on its leaves. [Toshio Hamatani]
[Folklore, Tradition]
Holly was a sacred tree to the Celts, and it was strictly forbidden to put live holly into a fire. It was also customary to decorate the area around the house with holly branches, which remained green even during the winter, to welcome the spirits of the forest.

*Some of the terminology that refers to "Amami Hollyhock" is listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…雄株にも少し結実する。奄美大島に産するアマミヒイラギモチI.dimorphophylla Koidz.も葉に鋭いとげがある。【浜谷 稔夫】
［民俗，伝承］
　セイヨウヒイラギはケルト人の聖木で，生木を火にくべたりすることは固く禁じられ，また冬の間も緑を保つこの枝で家の周囲を飾り，森の精霊を迎える風習があった。…

※「アマミヒイラギモチ」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

出典｜株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典 第２版について | 情報