The "Ao-hada" (Ilex macropoda) belongs to Aquifoliaceae (the Holly family). It is a tall deciduous tree that is native thoughout Japan, as well as the Korean Peninsula and southern China. This tree grows in the deciduous forests on montains, and can reach about 12 m in height. The bark is grayish-white and has obvious lenticles. The leaves are broad elliptic to broad ovate and arranged alternately. It is dioecious. The greenish white, fasciculate flowers bloom on the short twigs from May to June. The flower has 4-5 petals and sepals. The fruits are round drupes and ripen red from September to October. The young leaves are used as food, such as marinated food or boiled green after boiling. The Japanese name is derived from the green inner barks. In Chinese, it is called "大柄冬青" (da bing dong qing).