Toyon
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Rose Family (Rosaceae)
Native
Key Identifying Characteristics
An evergreen shrub with tough, shiny green leaves about 3 inches long with toothed margins. Clusters of red berries in fall and winter.
Height / Size
6 to 30 feet
Leaves
Toothed, leathery oval dark green leaves, approximately 3 inches long. This type of leaf, called sclerophyllous, is an adaptation to reduce moisture loss in hot, dry summers.
Flower
White 5-petaled flowers cluster at the end of branches.
Bloom Time: June to August.
Fruit / Seed
Bright red berries appear between November and February.
Habitat
Chaparral and mixed oak woodlands. It is drought tolerant.
Location / Range
All Trails, especially Hazelnut trail. / Coastal California from Humbolt county to Baja California, and the western Sierra foothills.
Lifespan
100-200 years
Fascinating / Fun Facts
Also known as Christmas Berry.
Ethnobotany
Berries were eaten toasted or dried by native Costanoans.
To learn how the Ohlone people use this plant see: Native American Ethnobotany Database
Nature Talks
Sources
Calscape
PlantID.net for San Pedro Valley CP (NRDB.org)
fs.usda.gov
VanderWerf, Barbara. 1994. Montara Mountain. Gum Tree Lane Books, El Granada, CA. Pg. 94