A selection from an unpublished manuscript, Ancient Garden Plants and Modern Garden Plants
by James K. Sayre
Copyright, 2003. All Rights Reserved.
Toyon - Heteromeles arbutifolia (Photinia arbutifolia) - family: Rosaceae (Rose Family).
[Etymology: toyon American Spanish toyon, tollon].
This evergreen shrub is found in the chaparral regions of California and Baja, Mexico, where it may grow to twenty-five feet high. It has toothed leathery oblong-to-elliptic-shaped dark green leaves. In the spring and summer it produces clusters of small white flowers. The flowers are followed by reddish, scarlet or yellowish berries (pomes) in the autumn and winter. Each berry contains several brown seeds. Traditional Native American use of its berries as a food source. Traditional Native American use of leaves and bark to make tea used as a remedy for indigestion. Hollywood, the movie making capital of the world, was named after the abundance of these shrubs growing in the nearby California hills. Native to western North America. Native to California and Baja California. Cultivated as an ornamental in North America. Best cultivated in USDA hardiness zones 8-10 in North America.
Other names: California Christmas Berry, California Holly,
Christmas Berry, Native Holly.
End.
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Web page last updated on 27 June 2003.