Pyracantha
Common name:
Firethorn
Pronunciation:
pi-ra-KANTH-a
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Type:
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon:
No
- Seven species of broadleaf evergreen to semi-evergreen thorny, shrubs, spreading to upright; many cultivars, often with a mixture of species in their background. Leaves alternate, simple, un-lobed, margin may be entire, crenate or serrate. Flowers white, 0.5-1 cm, in clusters. Fruit rounded, red to yellow-orange.
- Hardy to USDA Zone, mostly 6, 7, or 8 Native range from southern Europe, southwest Asia, the Himalayas, China and Taiwan
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The seven species are (RHS Dictionary of Gardening):
- Pyracantha angustifolia: evergreen, yellow-orange fruit, from southwest China, Zone 7.
- Pyracantha atalantoides: evergreen, red fruit, southeast and west China, Zone 7
- Pyracantha coccinea [Scarlet Firethorn]: evergreen to semi-evergreen, red fruit, southern Europe to Caucasus Mountains in western Asia, Zone 6, some Zone 5, popular, many cultivars, can be invasive
- Pyracantha crenatoserrata: evergreen, red fruit, central and western China, Zone 7
- Pyracantha crenulata [Nepalese White Thorn]: evergreen shrubs or small trees, resembles P. coccinea, orange fruit, northwest China, Zone 7
- Pyracantha koidzumii [Formosa Firethorn]: evergreen, orange-red fruit, Taiwan, Zone 8
- Pyracantha rogersiana: evergreen, yellow to orange-red fruit, China, Zone 8
- Many of the Pyracantha selections available are hybrids of two or more species, Dirr (2009, p.906-8) lists 30, including the popular 'Mohave' (orange-red fruit) and 'Teton' (yellow-orange fruit).
Click image to enlarge
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plant habit, flowering
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flowers
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plant habit, flowering and fruiting
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plant habit, fall fruiting
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plant habit, sheared
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fruiting branches
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leaves and fruit
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fruit and leaves
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thorns
