Pyracantha species: Pyracantha, fire thorn

Family

Rosaceae

Common Name

Pyracantha, firethorn - Pyracantha coccinea

Numerous cultivars exist.

Plant Description

A genus of 7 species from Southern Europe and Asia, Pyracantha are evergreen, erect or spreading woody shrubs or small trees with prominent thorns. Leaves are dark glossy green, alternate, simple and elliptic.

Inflorescences are corymbs produced terminally. Flowers are hawthorn-like, showy white, with 5 sepals and 5 petals. Fruits are round to spherical berries in colors ranging from yellow to orange-red (Fig. 330 and Fig. 331).

Figure 330. Pyracantha coccinea.

Figure 331. Pyracantha coccinea fruits.

Toxic Principle and Mechanism of Action

The cyanogenic glycoside prunasin has been identified [1]. It is unlikely that cyanide poisoning would result from this plant.

Risk Assessment

Pyracanthas are commonly grown as garden and landscaping plants for their display of spring flowers and the masses of orange-red berries in late summer and fall. Poisoning is rarely encountered, although the large thorns in some species can cause injury. Birds, especially robins, have been observed by the author to have difficulty hopping and flying erratically after feeding on the fermenting berries in late summer.