What is the difference between thornless holly and firethorn?
Leaves: Thornless holly leaves are elliptical with entire margins. Firethorn leaves are obovate or obovate-oblong with serrated edges. Flowers: Thornless holly has umbellate inflorescences that are beige. Firethorn has compound corymbose inflorescences that are white. Fruit: Thornless holly turns red when ripe, while firethorn fruit is orange-red or dark red.
I. Leaf differences
Thornless holly leaves are elliptical, hard and leathery, alternate, with entire margins and abruptly pointed tips; they are quite stiff, green in color and very glossy. Firethorn leaves are obovate or obovate-oblong, with rounded or slightly notched tips and wedge-shaped bases, and their margins are serrated.
II. Flower differences
Thornless holly has umbellate inflorescences that are beige. Firethorn has compound corymbose inflorescences that are white.
III. Fruit differences
Thornless holly fruit is spherical, turns red when ripe, and is uniform in size. The fruit does not fall off in winter. Firethorn fruit is orange-red or dark red and also spherical. The fruiting period is from August to November.