Heteromeles arbutifolia
Toyon · also Christmas berry, California holly, Christmasberry
Report an issue with this species
Toyon is an attractive perennial shrub native to Coastal California. It features clusters of white flowers in summer, followed by bright red pea-sized fruits in fall and early winter, resembling apples and pears. The plant is evergreen, has high drought tolerance and low water needs, and attracts bees and birds, making it suitable for urban plantings in chaparral areas.
Where it grows
Trees in each city's inventory, with the share of that city's named trees this species accounts for.
- 3000.06%35 yr7.5 in
- 740.06%—5.0 in
Traits
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Mature height
- 15–25 ft
- Canopy spread
- 8–15 ft
- Water needs
- Low
- Drought tolerance
- High
- Wildlife value
- Moderate
- Blooms
- Jun, Jul, Aug
Trunk diameters across every city: median 7.5 in, mean 6.6 in, 90th percentile 8.0 in. Measured at breast height, as published by each inventory.
Native range
Terrestrial ecoregions where this species is native. Trees in the dataset mostly stand well outside it.
Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands & Scrub
- California coastal sage and chaparral
Deserts & Xeric Shrublands
- Baja California desert