Envoy at 16:41, 26 October 2007

2007-10-26T16:41:26Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Toyon
| image = Heteromeles arbutifolia 1.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Habitus
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| subclassis = [[Rosidae]]
| unranked_ordo = [[Eurosids I]]
| ordo = [[Rosales]]
| familia = [[Rosaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Maloideae]]
| genus = '''''Heteromeles'''''
| genus_authority =
| species = '''''H. arbutifolia'''''
| binomial = ''Heteromeles arbutifolia''
| binomial_authority = ([[John Lindley|Lindl.]]) M.Roem.
| synonyms =
''Heteromeles salicifolia'' 
''Photinia arbutifolia'' Lindl.
}}

'''Toyon''' ('''''Heteromeles arbutifolia''''') is a common [[Perennial plant|perennial]] [[shrub]] native to southwestern [[California]], [[USA]] and the extreme northwest of [[Mexico]], from the [[San Francisco Bay]] area to northern [[Baja California]]. It is the sole species of '''''Heteromeles''''', but is closely related to the Asian [[genus]] ''[[Photinia]]'', in which it is included by some botanists (it was originally described in that genus).

[[image:Heteromeles_arbutifolia.jpg|thumb|left|Fruiting branch]]
Toyon is a prominent component of the [[coastal sage scrub]] plant community, and is a part of drought-adapted [[chaparral]] and [[oak]] [[woodland]] habitats. It is also known by the common names '''Christmas berry''' and '''California holly'''.

Toyon typically grows from 2-5 m (rarely up 10 m in shaded conditions) and has a rounded to irregular top. Its [[leaf|leaves]] are [[evergreen]], alternate, sharply toothed, have short [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]]s, and are 5-10 cm in length and 2-4 cm wide. In the early summer it produces small white [[flower]]s 6-10 mm diameter, in dense terminal [[corymb]]s. The five [[petal]]s are rounded. They are visited by [[butterfly|butterflies]], and have a mild, [[Crataegus|hawthorn]]-like scent. The [[fruit]] is a small [[pome]], 5-10 mm across, bright red and berry-like, produced large quantities, maturing in the fall and persisting well into the winter. The fruit are consumed by [[bird]]s, including [[mockingbird]]s, [[American Robin]]e, [[Cedar Waxwing]]s, as well as [[mammal]]s including [[coyote]]s and [[bear]]s. The [[seed]]s are dispersed in their droppings.

===Uses and cultivation===
The berries provided food for local [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribes, such as [[Chumash (tribe)|Chumash]], [[Tongva]], and [[Tataviam]]. Toyon berries are acidic and astringent, and contain a small amount of cyanogenic [[glycoside]]s, which break down into [[hydrocyanic acid]] on digestion. This is removed by mild cooking. Some berries, though mealy, astringent and acid when raw, were eaten fresh, or mashed into water to make a beverage. Most were dried and stored, then later cooked into porridge or pancakes. Later settlers added sugar to make [[custard]] and [[wine]]. The berries also can be made into a jelly. The Native Americans also used a tea made from the leaves as a stomach remedy, the leaves and berries for dyes, and the very hard, close-grained wood for various purposes.

Toyon can be grown in domestic [[garden]]s in well drained soil, and is cultivated as an [[ornamental plant]] as far north as [[Southern England]]. It can survive temperatures as low as -12°C. The bush is handsome all year round and the bright red berries in winter are a special reward (even if the birds devour them all the first day they turn ripe). It is susceptible to [[fireblight]]. It survives on little water, making it suitable for [[Xeriscape]]TM gardening, and is less of a fire hazard than some chaparral plants.

===Legislation involving Toyon===
In the [[1920]]s, collecting toyon branches for [[Christmas]] became so popular in [[Los Angeles, California]] that the State of [[California]] passed a law forbidding collecting on public land. Some believe that [[Hollywood, California]] derives its name from the numerous "California Holly" bushes which cover the [[Hollywood Hills]], but the origin of Hollywood's name cannot be confirmed.

==References==
{{commonscat|Heteromeles arbutifolia}}
*[http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Heteromeles+arbutifolia Jepson Flora Project: ''Heteromeles arbutifolia'']
*[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?414959 Germplasm Resources Information Network] (treats as ''Heteromeles salicifolia'')
*[http://www.bahiker.com/plantpages/toyon.html Photos of Toyon in flower and fruit]

[[Category:Maloideae]]
[[Category:Flora of California]]

Toyon - Revision history

Envoy at 16:41, 26 October 2007