Ilex purpurea Hassk. syn. Ilex chinensis Sims., Ilex oldhamii Miq. An evergreen or briefly deciduous tree with acuminate, oblong-elliptic leaves and bright red berries, native of S Japan from C Honshu southwards and S. China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, growing in openings in the forest, flowering in May-June, fruiting in September-December. Tree to 12m; leaves 7-12 x 2.5-5cm, crenate, thin textured, not spiny. Flowers purplish or reddish, with 4-5 petals. Berries 6-8mm across, on long stalks. Min. -3°C. We saw this handsome species in fruit on Yakusima, but the seedlings proved very tender. Z8.