Pyracantha
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| Missing image Pyracantha.jpg Pyracantha branch with berries | ||||||||||||||
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Firethorn (Pyracantha) is a genus of thorny evergreen large shrubs in the family Rosaceae, subfamily Maloideae. They are native from southeast Europe east to southeast Asia, and are closely related to Cotoneaster, differing from that genus in having serrated leaf margins and numerous thorns (Cotoneaster is thornless).
The plants range from 4-6 m tall. The seven species have white flowers and either red, orange, or yellow berries. The flowers are produced during late spring and early summer; the berries develop from late summer, and mature in late autumn.
List of species and their native ranges:
- Pyracantha angustifolia. Southwest China.
- Pyracantha atalantoides. Southern China.
- Pyracantha coccinea (Scarlet firethorn). Italy east to Asia Minor.
- Pyracantha crenatoserrata. Central China.
- Pyracantha crenulata. Himalaya.
- Pyracantha koidzumii. Taiwan.
- Pyracantha rogersiana. Yunnan.
Selected hybrids and cultivars
- 'America'
- 'Golden Charmer'
- 'Golden Dome'
- 'Lalandei'
- 'Mohave'
- 'Navajo'
- 'Rosy Mantle'
- 'Santa Cruz'
- 'Teton'
- 'Waterei'
Uses
Pyracanthas are valuable ornamental plants, grown in gardens for their decorative flowers and fruit, often very densely borne. Their dense, thorny structure makes them particularly valued in situations where vandalism or criminal damage are problems.