Pyracantha crenato-serrata
Credits
Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles
Recommended citation
'Pyracantha crenato-serrata' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.
Genus
Synonyms
- Photinia crenato-serrata Hance
- Pyracantha yunnanensis Chittenden
- P. gibbsii var. yunnanensis Osborn
- P. fortuneana (Maxim.) Li
Infraspecifics
An evergreen shrub 12 to 18 ft high, related to P. atalantioides and P. rogersiana. It differs from both in its leaves, which are obovate-oblong, broadest in the upper third or upper quarter of the blade, rounded at the apex, long-tapered to the base, 1 to almost 3 in. long, 3⁄8 to 1 in. wide, usually coarsely toothed. In P. atalantioides the leaves are broadest at or near the middle. In P. rogersiana they are smaller, not more than 11⁄2 in. long except on vigorous shoots, and oblanceolate or oblong-oblanceolate. The inflorescence is downy, as in P. atalantioides (glabrous in P. rogersiana). Bot. Mag., t. 9099, figs 5–10.
P. crenato-serrata is a native of China from N.E. Yunnan and W. Hupeh northward to Kansu and Shensi. It was discovered by J. Watters of the British Consular Service near Ichang in Hupeh and described in 1880. The French missionary Ducloux introduced it to Maurice de Vilmorin’s garden at Les Barres, and from there it was distributed. But some at least of the plants grown in this country derive from seeds collected by Reginald Farrer in Kansu in 1914. It is useful in retaining its fruits until spring, if birds permit, but has never attracted as much attention as its two relatives P. atalantioides and P. rogersiana.
The name Pyracantha fortuneana (Maxim.) Li has been proposed for this species (Journ. Arn. Arb., Vol. 25, p. 420). It is based on Photinia fortuneana Maxim., a name given to the species represented by material collected by Fortune in 1845 (no. A 69). However, as pointed out in Bot. Mag., n.s., t. 74, the material of Fortune’s A 69 at Kew seems better placed in Photinia, and does not belong to Pyracantha crenato-serrata.
From the Supplement (Vol. V)
P. ‘Orange Glow’. – This is proving to be very hardy in the open ground but is also one of the best for growing on a wall. The berries are tightly packed and make a fine and long-lasting display.