Toyon

Heteromeles arbutifoliatoyon. Found throughout California west of the Sierra crest. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center calls toyon "One of the most beautiful native shrubs or small trees, evergreen, with short trunk, many branches, and rounded crown." Christmas berry, another name for the plant, is important as one of the first California plants to gain legal protection. It was subject of a 1920s law aimed at reining in the unrestricted overharvesting of berry-bearing branches during Christmas season. Photographed in a private garden in Berkeley, CA..

Heteromeles arbutifoliaChristmas berry. Christmas berry is important as one of the first California plants to gain legal protection. It was subject of a 1920s law aimed at reining in the unrestricted overharvesting of berry-bearing branches during Christmas season. Willis L. Jepson, showing the prejudices of his time, wrote in the _Flora of California_, "In the years of 1911 and 1912 and thereabouts most of the stock for the San Francisco Market came from the region of Tuolumne County. With proper care of the shrubs the quality of the berries as a rule improves as a result of harvest pruning, but the Tuolumne region was so ill-treated by the Italian gatherers that the district ceased for some years to be a source of supply." The plant is in a private garden in Berkeley, CA.

Orinda, California, United States

California, United States

Heteromeles arbutifoliatoyon. Nearly spent flowers of toyon. The ovaries are forming the red berries that brighten the California fall. The plant photographed is located along a public pathway in Berkeley, CA

Heteromeles arbutifoliatoyon. Nearly spent flowers of toyon. The ovaries are forming the red berries that brighten the California fall. The plant photographed is located along a public pathway in Berkeley, CA.

Heteromeles arbutifoliaToyon. I planted this toyon (or Christmas berry) on the hillside next to my house sometime in the mid-1990s and promptly forgot about it. About ten years ago I looked out my window and was amazed to see red berries I couldn't remember planting. The tree has continued to thrive and has spread by suckers. I have noticed seedlings growing on other parts of the hillside, undoubtedly dropped by birds. Pretty good for a tree I've been told won't grow in Berkeley, huh. Photographed in a private garden in Berkeley, CA.

Heteromeles arbutifoliaChristmas berry. Christmas berry is important as one of the first California plants to gain legal protection. It was subject of a 1920s law aimed at reining in the unrestricted overharvesting of berry-bearing branches during Christmas season. Willis L. Jepson, showing the prejudices of his time, wrote in the _Flora of California_, "In the years of 1911 and 1912 and thereabouts most of the stock for the San Francisco Market came from the region of Tuolumne County. With proper care of the shrubs the quality of the berries as a rule improves as a result of harvest pruning, but the Tuolumne region was so ill-treated by the Italian gatherers that the district ceased for some years to be a source of supply." The plant is in a private garden in Berkeley, CA.

Heteromeles arbutifoliatoyon. California's replacement for Christmas holly. Plant is located in a private garden in Berkeley, CA.