Pyracantha coccinea

firethornfull
(Photo by Cambrielle Sanders)

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Taxonomy (1)

Classification: Angiosperm, dicot
Family: Rosaceae
Common name: Scarlet Firethorn

General Information (1)

Region of Origin: Italy to Caucasus
USDA Plants Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Growth Habit: Shrub

  • Size: 6-18 feet
  • Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
  • Flowering: late April to early June
  • Fruiting: September

Diagnostic Characteristics

Leaves (1)

  • Arrangement: Alternate
  • Simple/Compound: Simple
  • Shape: Elliptic to oblanceolate
  • Other: Closely crenulate-serrulate

firethornleaf
(Photo by Cambrielle Sanders)

Stem/Bark (1)

  • Color: Brown
  • Texture: True thorns 1/2-3/4 inch long

Flower (1)

  • Perfect/Imperfect: Perfect
  • Color: White
  • Size: 1/3 inch
  • Inflorescence type: Compound corymb

Fruit (1)

  • Fruit type: Pome
  • Size: 1/4 inch
  • Color: Orange-red

Horticultural Information (1)

  • Light: Full sun to partial shade
  • pH: 5.5-7.5
  • Maintenance: Hard to care for
  • Landscape Uses: Hedge, barrier, container plant, near walls, trellises, espaliers
  • Other: Difficult to transplant

References

1) Dirr, M. (1990). Manual of woody landscape plants: Their identification, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagation and uses (4th ed.). Champaign, Ill.: Stipes Pub..

Prepared by Cambrielle Sanders as a course requirement for BIOL 3630/5630, Spring 2013
Edited by Jessica Bartek