Pyracantha coccinea Roem.
Fully-hardy, dense, bushy shrub with lance-shaped leaves, to 4cm long, and corymbs of small, creamy white flowers in summer, followed by bright scarlet berries. To 4m. [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘Among the Hedge plants which demand the attention of the Horticulturist, are the Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus), which makes an excellent fence; the privet, long in use, and a beautiful and verdant inner shelter to the garden, but not a sufficient protection against cattle; and the Mespilus pyracantha, or Evergreen thorn, ornamented in its white blossoms and coral berries.’ [Horticultural Register and Gardener’s Magazine vol.1, p.144/1835].
Introduced to England in 1629. [JD]. Saint-Hilaire Tr. pl.110/1825.
History at Camden Park
Listed in all published catalogues [T.680/1843]. Probably introduced to assess its usefulness as a hedging species. Reported as naturalised in South Australia but not in New South Wales.
Notes
Published Feb 05, 2010 - 03:05 PM | Last updated Aug 11, 2010 - 03:24 PM
Pyracantha coccinea Roem. | Saint-Hilaire Tr. pl.110/1825 | BHL
| Family | Rosaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Europe and Caucasus |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Firethorn, Evergreen thorn |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Mespilus pyracantha |
| Confidence level | high |