An identification key is also presented below (based on Chen et al. 2008) in order to easily distinguish the new species from similar Ilex species.

1a. Branchlets not lenticellate; leaf blade margins entire or inconspicuously serrate apically, not glandular punctate abaxially; persistent calyx 6-lobed; pyrenes 6 ................................................................................................................................................. I. wuana

1b. Branchlets densely lenticellate; leaf blade margins entire, abaxially inconspicuously minutely glandular punctate.......................2

2a. Flowers 5-merous, persistent calyx 4- or 5-lobed; pyrenes 5 ......................................................................................... I. mamillata

2b. Flowers 6-merous, persistent calyx 6-lobed; pyrenes 6 ................................................................................................... I. calcicola