冬青屬落葉灌木，臺灣原生，菲律賓與中國東南各省亦有分佈。黑褐色枝條細瘦平滑，佈有白色圓形皮孔，形似秤桿上的秤星而得名。互生卵形或披針橢圓形葉，細鋸齒緣。花單生或2~3朵腋生的繖形花序，花白色，花期3月。紫黑色核果橢圓形，果期4~10月。

A deciduous shrub in the genus Ilex, native to Taiwan, and also found in the Philippines and southeast China. Branches dark brown, slender and smooth, with white round lenticels like the stellate marks on scale bars which gives rise to its Chinese common name. Leaves alternate ovate or lanceolate oval, margin finely serrated. Flowers solitary or in clusters of 2 to 3 axillary umbels, flowers white, flowering in March. Drupes purplish black and oval, fruiting from April to October.

喜溫暖濕潤的氣候，需要蔭蔽，適宜在疏鬆、排水良好的砂質壤上栽培。繁殖可用播種、扦插、壓條及高壓法。

It prefers warm and humid climates and needs shaded, suitably grown in loose, well-drained sandy soils. Propagated by seeds, cuttings, layering and air layering.

可作遮蔭環境的庭園景觀樹或綠籬，也可以製作盆景。根及葉可入藥，是「廣東涼茶」的主要原料之一。

It can be used as a garden landscape tree or green hedge in a shaded environment, also used to make bonsai. The roots and leaves have medicinal properties and are the main ingredients of "Guangdong Herbal Tea".