Comparative Study on Flexibility Characteristics of Branches in Three Ilex Series Varieties
XING Zhonghao
SHEN Dengfeng
REN Yameng
ZHANG Jianhong
Abstract：To investigate the stem flexibility of several Ilex species for horticultural shaping in home gardens,this study investigated 15 varieties from three Ilex series—I.verticillata,I.aquifolium,and I.cornuta,4-5mm middle diameter branches of these varieties were conducted to measure flexural modulus of elasticity,flexural strength,and bending force using three—point bending tests.Physicochemical analyses,including cellulose,hemicellulose,lignin content,and moisture content,were performed to explore mechanical differences within and between series,as well as the influence of physicochemical properties on bending performance.Results showed that significant differences in modulus of elasticity among the three series(P＜0.05).The I.aquifolium exhibited the weakest bending resistance and the bset flexibility,particularly in I.aquifolium'Silver Van Tol'and I.aquifolium'Madame Briot',which were identified as highly flexible cultivars.The I.verticillata series demonstrated intermediate mechanical properties,balancing rigidity and flexibility.Physicochemical analyses showed positive correlations between cellulose,hemicellulose,and holocellulose content with modulus of elasticity,while moisture content negatively correlated with bending resistance.In conclusion,I.aquifolium'Silver Van Tol'and I.aquifolium'Madame Briot'are recommended for high-flexibility topiary applications.This study further elucidates the mechanisms underlying the variation in branch flexibility among the three I. series,thereby providing a theoretical basis for screening holly varieties suitable for topiary.
Keywords：Ilexbranchesflexural propertiescellulose
Publication Date：2025-10-28
Online Publishing Date：2026-05-22(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 16-22 )