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Photinia arbutifolia Lindl.

Modern name

Heteromeles arbutifolia var. arbutifolia

Synonyms

Crataegus arbutifolia Dryander, nom. illegit.; Heteromeles arbutifolia (Lindl.) M. Roem.; Photinia salicifolia Presl

An evergreen tree occasionally 30 ft high, or in cultivation more often a shrub, with downy young bark. Leaves stiff and leathery, 2 to 4 in. long, 34 to 112 in. wide, oblong, lanceolate or obovate, tapering at the base to a thick downy stalk 12 to 34 in. long, the margins set with stiff teeth, each tipped with a small black gland. Flowers produced very numerously in a large, flattish panicle, composed of corymbose clusters terminating the shoot, and in the axils of the uppermost leaves. Each flower is from 14 to 38 in. diameter; petals pure white; calyx-tube with glabrous, triangular lobes; stamens ten. Fruits about the size of holly berries, bright red, tasting like common haws.

Native of California; introduced by Menzies in 1796. It is a handsome evergreen, but unfortunately not reliably hardy. It may be grown on a wall, but is, of course, at its best in the open where the climate is suitable. In California the fruit-covered branches are used for Christmas decorations as we use holly.


Genus

Photinia

Other species in the genus