Ilex cassine

Ilex cassine is a holly native to the southeastern coast of North America, in the United States from Virginia to southeast Texas, in Mexico in Veracruz, and in the Caribbean on the Bahamas, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. It is commonly known as Dahoon Holly or Cassena, the latter derived from the Timucua name for I. vomitoria.

It is a large shrub or small tree growing to 10-13 m tall. The leaves are evergreen, 6-15 cm long and 2-4 cm broad, glossy dark green, entire or with a few small spines near the apex of the leaf. The flowers are white, with a four-lobed corolla. The fruit is a red drupe, 5-6 mm in diameter, containing four seeds.

As with other hollies, it is dioecious with separate male and female plants. Only the females have berries, and a male pollenizer must be within range for bees to pollinate them.

There are three varieties:

Cassine

Cassine (Piedmontese: Cassèine) is a town and commune of the Province of Alessandria in the Italian region Piedmont. It is located 21 kilometres (13 mi) southwest of the town of Alessandria on the left of the lower course of the Bormida in the Alto Monferrato Acquese. The town lies partly in the hills, where the ancient nucleus of the settlement formed, and partly on the plain. Its economic character is agricultural: the hills are rich in vineyards where the wines Moscato d’Asti, Barbera and Freisa are produced as well as grappa.

Municipal subdivisions and neighbours

In addition to the nucleus of Cassine itself (the capoluogo) three frazioni fall within the boundaries of the commune: Caranzano, Gavonata, and Sant'Andrea.

Cassine borders the following communes: Alice Bel Colle, Castelnuovo Bormida, Gamalero, Maranzana, Mombaruzzo, Ricaldone, Rivalta Bormida, Sezzadio, and Strevi.

History

During the 10th century the town was within the domains of the Bishops of Acqui. In 1164, Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa granted it to the Marquis of Montferrat. However, located at the edge of the Ghibelline marquisate, control of Cassine was contested by the Guelfs of Alessandria who conquered and destroyed the town in 1231 and subsequently exacted an annual tribute. In 1404 it was occupied by the condottiere Facino Cane. Subsequently it was fortified. In 1451 the town was besieged by the Marquis of Montferrat. It was occupied by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in 1556and in 1644 it was taken control of by the French. In 1707 Cassine was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia and from that time on its fortunes followed those of other towns in Piedmont.

Cassine (genus)

Cassine is a genus of trees, of the plant family Celastraceae.

Description

Cassine species grow as shrubs or small trees. The flowers are bisexual. The fruits have a pit (stone).

Distribution and habitat

Cassine species are distributed widely throughout the tropics, mainly in Africa.

Species

As of June 2014 The Plant List recognises 68 accepted taxa (of species and infraspecific names):