Heteromeles sp.
Christmas berry, toyon, Toyon
(c) Jerry Kirkhart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Heteromeles sp. (Christmas berry) is a native California annual in the Rosaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Pyracantha: Pyracantha has thorns and narrow leaves; Heteromeles is thornless with broader, coarsely toothed leaves.; vs Arbutus: Arbutus has peeling reddish bark and warty round fruits; Heteromeles has smooth bark and smooth red berries.; vs Frangula: Frangula has smooth leaf edges and parallel veins; Heteromeles has sharply toothed leaves and standard venation.; vs Photinia: Photinia has new leaves bright red; Heteromeles new growth is green.; vs Rhus: Rhus has compound leaves with multiple leaflets; Heteromeles has simple leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heteromeles sp. native to California?
Yes. Heteromeles sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Heteromeles sp. belong to?
Heteromeles sp. is in the Rosaceae family, genus Heteromeles.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.