Scarlet Firethorn

Scarlet Firethorn, Pyracantha

Pyracantha coccinea

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

▲ mature plant with fruit

▲ mature plant by west entrance to Karls Hall, MSU campus

▲ foliage

▲ fruit

Location on campus: just south of west entrance of Karls Hall

Pyracantha coccinea: Scarlet Firethorn

• leaves semi-evergreen, simple, alternate, elliptic with slightly crenate margins; leaves 1-2.5" long and 1/4-1/3 as wide; leaves glabrous, dark, glossy green above and duller green underneath
• stems woolly pubescent at first, then glossy brown with occasional 1/2-3/4" spines
• flowers in clusters on spurs on previous-season’s growth in mid-spring
• fruit is bright orange pome about 1/4" diameter ripening in early fall
• grows to 15' tall and equal spread, but can be pruned to keep in bounds; often an irregularly shaped plant without pruning; can be used as a hedge plant or trained on a trellis or wall espalier
• prefers full sun and well-drained soil
• can have problems with fireblight and apple scab diseases
• medium to fast growth rate