ROSACEAE

ROSE FAMILY

Annual to tree
Leaves simple to pinnately to palmately compound, generally alternate; stipules free to fused, persistent to deciduous
Inflorescence: cyme, raceme, panicle, or flowers solitary
Flower generally bisexual, radial; hypanthium free or fused to ovary, saucer- to funnel-shaped, often with bractlets alternate with sepals; sepals generally 5; petals generally 5, free; stamens (0)5–many, pistils (0)1–many, simple or compound; ovary superior to inferior, styles 1–5
Fruit: achene, follicle, drupe, pome, or blackberry- to raspberry-like
Seeds generally 1–5
Genera in family: 110 genera, ± 3000 species: worldwide, especially temp. Many cultivated for ornamental and fruit, especially Cotoneaster , Fragaria , Malus , Prunus , Pyracantha, Rosa , and Rubus
Reference: [Robertson 1974 J Arnold Arbor 55:303–332,344–401,611–662]
Family description, key to genera by Barbara Ertter and Dieter H. Wilken.

HETEROMELES

CHRISTMAS BERRY, TOYON

Dieter H. Wilken

Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (Greek: different apple)

Native

H. arbutifolia (Lindl.) M. Roem.

Shrub or small tree generally < 5 m
Stem: trunk bark grayish; twigs puberulent
Leaves simple, evergreen, short-petioled; blade 4–11 cm, elliptic to oblong, leathery, sharply toothed, shiny dark green above, dull and paler below
Inflorescence: panicle, terminal, ± open, flat-topped; flowers many
Flower: hypanthium 2–3 mm, ± obconic; sepals 1–2 mm; petals 2–4 mm, white; stamens 10 in pairs opposite sepals; pistil 1, ovary ± inferior, 2–3-chambered, styles 2–3
Fruit: pome, 5–10 mm diam, bright red, pulp mealy
Seeds 3–6, compressed, brown
Ecology: Chaparral, oak woodland, mixed-evergreen forest
Elevation: < 1300 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province
Distribution outside California: Baja California
Synonyms: var. macrocarpa (Munz) Munz
Horticultural information: DRN, SUN: 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 &DRY: 5, 17; CVS include yellow-berried form.