Heteromeles arbutifolia

Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon, Christmas berry, California holly) is a perennial shrub native to California and Baja California.

It is a member of the coastal sage scrub plant community, and part of the drought-adapted chaparral and mixed oak woodland communities.

It is the only species within the Heteromeles genus, but is closely related to the Asian genus of plants, Photinia. The toyon is sometimes included as a species of Photinia (Photinia arbutifolia) by some botanists.

Appearance
The toyon usually grows 2-5 m tall, and sometimes 10 m in shaded conditions. Its leaves are evergreen, alternate, sharply toothed, with short petioles, and are 5-10 cm long and 2-4 wide. In early summer, small white flowers are formed in dense panicles. These grow 6-10 mm in diameter. The petals are rounded. The fruits are small pomes at 5-10 mm across. These are bright red, and mature in fall, and will still persist into winter.

Ecology
The toyon is visited by butterflies because of their hawthorn-like scent. The fruits are eaten by birds, such as mockingbirds, American Robins, and Cedar Waxwings.

Coyotes and bears also eat the berries.

Cultivation
The toyon is often times cultivated, as far north as England. It can be grown in well-drained soil, surviving as low as -12°C. The bush grows its showy red berries in winter and fall. It can survive with little water, making it ideal for xeriscape gardening, and is less of a fire hazard than other chaparral plants.

Food for humans
The berries provided food for local Native Americans. The Native Americans would not only eat the berries, but they would use the leaves to make a tea to treat stomach pain. They were also dried to make porridge and pancakes.

The berries are used for jelly and sometimes in the making of custard or wine.

Toxicity
Toyon berries are acidic, and contain a small amount of cyanogenic glycosides, which will break down into hydrocyanic acid during digestion. This can be removed by cooking.

Dye and wood
The leaves and berries have been used to make die, and the wood has been used for various purposes.

Legislation
In the 1920's, collecting the branches of toyon became so popular in Los Angeles, that California passed a law forbidding people to collect them on public land.

Some people believe that Hollywood derives its name from the various "California Holly" bushes which cover Hollywood Hills, but the true orgin of Hollywood's name is unknown.