Heteromeles arbutifolia Christmas berry (Rosaceae) Evergreen tree

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Heteromeles arbutifolia
Christmas berry
Evergreen tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Heteromeles arbutifolia plant species is found in Southwestern N. America - California. It is a member of the Rosaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Christmas berry. Some home gardeners know the variety as Photinia. arbutifolia. Lindl. P. salicifolia. Crataegus arbutifolia.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Heteromeles arbutifolia
Common Name:  Christmas berry
Family:  Rosaceae
Author:  (Ait.)M.Roem.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  6   Mature Width:  8

Habitat:  Semi-dry brushy slopes and in canyons below 1200 metres[71]. It is usually found in the neighbourhood of streams or on dry hills, especially on north-facing slopes[82]. Often on steep sea-cliffs[82].

Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked[46, 94, 105, 183, 257]. They taste like common haws (Crataegus monogyna)[11]. Mealy, astringent and acid[82, 85]. Best if a little sugar is added to sweeten them. They can also be dried, ground into a powder and made into a mush or fermented into a cider[183]. A slight cooking removes any bitter taste[92]. Native North American Indians would often place them in a basket close to the fire and keep turning them until they had wilted before eating them[257].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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