Toyon

Toyon is a large, tree-like shrub, growing anywhere from 8 to over 30 feet tall. The evergreen leaves are sharply toothed, like a holly leaf. Each shiny, dark green leaf is typically 5 cm long to 2 cm wide. The leathery, dark green leaves offset the white blossom clusters and beautiful bright-red berry clusters. The small five-petalled flowers, only 6 mm in diameter, bloom in dense bunches. Toyon produces bountiful clusters of round, bright-red berries, which ripen on the tree for numerous months before drying out.

Basic Information

• Member of the Rosaceae (Rose) family

• Toyon is the sole species in the genus Heteromeles

• Perennial shrub

• Pioneer plant

  • Grows abundantly in eroded soil, and sprouts vigorously after fire or cutting

Habitat

• Native to Oregon, the Baja California Peninsula, and the far southwest of Oregon

  • In California, it is typically found west of the Sierra foothills

• Commonly found in the chaparral, mixed oak woodland, and coastal sage scrub communities along creek sides, slopes, and canyons

Ecological Role

• Birds love the red berries

  • Eaten by a number of bird including mockingbirds, American robins, and cedar waxwings

• Mammals such as bears and coyotes eat and disperse the berries

• The flowers are visited by butterflies and a number of other insects

Reproduction

• Blooms from June to September

Alternative Names

• California Christmasberry, Christmasberry, California Holly, Hollywood

• The common name Toyon is derived from an Ohlone word for the plant

Historical Uses

• Berries were roasted, dried, or eaten raw by a number of tribes, such as the Cahuilla, Ohlone, and Karok

  • The berries were most commonly cooked, as they contain small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides, which cause slight indigestion

• The berries were also mashed into water to make a beverage

Additional Information

• Toyon was once a major component of the chaparral in and around Hollywood — in fact, it gave the famous city its name!