Heteromeles salicifolia (Toyon)

Botanical name

Heteromeles salicifolia

Other names

Toyon, Red chokebery, Christmas berry, Tollon, Heteromeles arbutifolia, Californian May bush, California holly, Photinia arbutifolia, Crataegus arbutifolia

Genus

Heteromeles Heteromeles

Species

H. salicifolia - H. salicifolia is an upright, evergreen, borderline hardy shrub or small tree with ovate, oblong, or lance-shaped, leathery, toothed, dark green leaves and, in summer, flattened panicles of small, saucer-shaped, white flowers followed by edible, ovoid, scarlet fruit.

Native to

Baja California (Mexico), California

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Upright

Toxicity

Parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.

---

Colour

Flower

White in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

---

How to care

Watch out for

Specific diseases

Leaf spot , Fireblight , Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings

---

Monthly care advice

---

Where to grow

Heteromeles salicifolia (Toyon) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 3m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Hedging/Screens, Coastal, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Best in neutral soil but tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Protect from cold, drying winds in winter. Tolerates partial shade.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Heteromeles salicifolia (Toyon)

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Heteromeles salicifolia (Toyon)

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Heteromeles salicifolia (Toyon)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Orgyia thyellina

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous moth pest from Eastern Asia which could be damaging to broadleaf and coniferous species if introduced to the UK; as well as having human health impacts. The main pathway is likely to be on goods (including non-plant material) imported from Eastern Asia and awareness raising with the main industry sectors is recommended.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/