Ilex aquifolium is a large shrub or tree species. It is widespread across Europe and also found in North Africa and parts of western Asia. There are no major threats to the species and it is likely to have a large population due to its wide native range. It is also widely cultivated and well represented in ex situ collections. The species is assessed as Least Concern but it is recommended that population size and threats in the species non-European range be investigated.

This species is native to Europe, North Africa and parts of western Asia. Within North Africa the species is found in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and within western Asia it is found in Iran, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. The species is more widespread in Europe from United Kingdom to Mediterranean Europe and the balkans (GRIN 2017) however it is not considered native to Hungary and its origin within Romania is uncertain (Valdes 2012). The species has also been naturalised in New Zealand, Australia and North America where it is considered an invasive species. Recently, new occurrences have been reported which represent a geographical shift in the distribution of this holly species towards the north in Norway and northeast in Germany and Denmark (Walther et al. 2005). The species has a large extent of occurrence (EOO) that exceeds the criteria for a threatened category under criteria B.

This is a common and widespread species throughout most of its range. The forests dominated by the species are found in north and west Spain, southern France, Corsica and Sardinia (European Environment Agency 2010) however in Sweden only one indigenous individual remains. The species is thought to be expanding into Scandinavia hence in Denmark it is scattered, mostly in the southwest, while in Norway it only grows out on the more oceanic parts of Vestland (Gärdenfors 2010). There is no population information for this species in Africa and Asia. Overall, the species range is large so population size is likely to be large.

This is large shrub or tree species growing to between 10 and 25 m tall (Kew 2017). It is a hardy species found in mixed deciduous or humid evergreen woodlands, often in association with Betulaceae spp. (Beech) and Quercus spp. (Arbolapp 2017). The species can also be found in scrub, hedgerows and is often planted in gardens and urban areas. The species provides important refuge for many animal species and its red berries are an important winter food source (Arbolapp 2017). Holly leaves can also be browsed by insects and even sheep (Kew 2017).

There are no widespread threats to the species. There are growing concerns of the regeneration capacity as it is so widely foraged and is seedlings are sensitive to drought and may be adversely impacted by climate change across the species Mediterranean range (Walther et al. 2005). There have already been reports of the species moving further North due to this (Walther et al. 2005). In Croatia it has declined due to collection from the wild (Nikolic and Topic 2007). Threats within the species Asian and African distributions are not known.

The species is used as a timber species (Mark et al. 2014) which is used to produce decorative carvings and light machinery components. It could also be used in the production of horse whips and piano keys. It is used as an ornamental species across the globe and many cultivars have been produced. Its leaves and berries are used a traditional Christmas decoration (Kew 2017). The plant has a range of medicinal properties such as in the treatment of asthma, the leaves are diuretic, fever-reducing and laxative and have been used to treat fevers, jaundice and rheumatism (Chevallier 1996).

This species is found in at least 176 ex situ collections (BGCI 2017). The species is regionally assessed as Least Concern within Europe. Within Europe it is listed on the following national red lists as Least Concern: Denmark (NERI 2007), Germany (Ludwig and Schnittler 1996), Luxembourg (Colling 2005), Norway (Artsdatabanken 2010), Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002) and the UK (Cheffings and Farrell 2005), Critically Endangered in Sweden (Gärdenfors 2010). It is listed as Vulnerable under criterion A1d in Croatia (Nikolic and Topic 2007). Also within Europe the species is found within Protected Areas including 76 Natura 2000 sites in Spain and three in France (European Environment Agency 2010), as well as some in Portugal. The habitat 9380 "Forests of Ilex aquifolium" is listed under Annex I of the Habitats Directive. Threats and population size and trend within the species non European range should be identified.