noun
English holly; Ilex aquifolium
Refers specifically to the European holly species, distinct from Japanese holly (柊). Often used in Christmas decorations.
クリスマスにはセイヨウヒイラギのリースを飾ります。
We decorate with an English holly wreath at Christmas.
Katakana spelling is common for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the plant is normally written in kana.
柊 is the general term for holly or specifically Japanese holly (Osmanthus heterophyllus), while セイヨウヒイラギ refers to the European species Ilex aquifolium.
Compound of 西洋 (seiyō, 'Western') and 柊 (hiiragi, 'holly'), literally 'Western holly'.