2022.12.14 | Christmas Berry

Heteromeles arbutifolia, also known as Christmas berry or toyon, is a backbone shrub of habitats from coastal sage scrub to montane pine forests. It grows in the forest and ravines on Fiscalini Ranch Preserve but is easier to spot along the highways, especially when red berries cover the plant as they do at this time of year.

Christmas berry usually forms a dense 8’ tall evergreen shrub but can be as tall as 30’ in the right situation. It does not want summer water after its first year so is ideal for water conserving gardens. In summer, the shrub is covered in clusters of cream-colored flowers that attract native bees. In winter, its red berries provided food for quail and migrating cedar waxwing birds, among other birds.

Enjoy the seasonal display offered by our native plants and Happy 2023 to you all!

Article first published in https://cambriaca.org/