Pyracantha sp.
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Pyracantha sp. is a non-native California shrub in the Rosaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Heteromeles: Pyracantha has thorns and narrow leaves; toyon lacks thorns and has wider serrated leaves.; vs Cotoneaster: Pyracantha has thorns; Cotoneaster is thornless.; vs Nandina: Pyracantha has simple leaves and thorns; nandina has compound leaves and no thorns.; vs Ceanothus: Pyracantha has thorns and orange-red berries; Ceanothus lacks thorns and has dry capsules.; vs Prunus: Pyracantha has clustered small pome fruits; Prunus has single larger stone fruits per flower.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pyracantha sp. native to California?
No. Pyracantha sp. is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Pyracantha sp. belong to?
Pyracantha sp. is in the Rosaceae family, genus Pyracantha.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Pyracantha angustifolia — Slender or woolly firethorn
- Pyracantha atalantioides — Sichuan firethorn
- Pyracantha coccinea — Firethorn or scarlet firethorn
- Pyracantha crenulata — Himalayan or nepal firethorn
- Pyracantha fortuneana — Chinese firethorn
- Pyracantha koidzumii — Taiwan firethorn
- Pyrus calleryana — Callery pear
- Pyrus communis — Common pear
- Pyrus sp. — Pear
- Rosa bridgesii — Sierran dwarf rose
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.