Toyon
Photinia arbutifolia
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Miguel Vieira (www.flickr.com) from Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Photinia
- Species:
- Photinia arbutifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- HEAR5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 450 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acrobasis tricolorella, Ceanothus Silkmoth (Hyalophora euryalus), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Coleotechnites sp., Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), Nemoria leptalea, orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia franciscana), Orthosia praeses, Othello dagger moth (Acronicta othello), Parornix arbutifoliella, Parornix quadripunctella, 🛑Precious Underwing (Catocala pretiosa), Sabulodes caberata, Stigmella heteromelis, Western amorbia moth (Amorbia cuneanum), Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica), Western tussock moth (Orgyia vetusta?), Western tussock moth (Orgyia vetusta), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown after fire. Common component of California chaparral fire ecology.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to chaparral and coastal scrub habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best after cold stratification. Fresh seed may germinate without treatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Place seed in a 10% bleach solution for 1 minute. Rinse and soak overnight in fresh water. Strain and place seeds in new plastic freezer bag with an equal amount of moist vermiculite. Stratify for 45 to 60 days in a refrigerator.
Establishment: Seeds are collected between September 1st and January 1st. Mature fruits are red. Open fruits and check for seed maturity. Seeds should be tan and hard. Toyon grows in flats easily. Make sure to transplant before taproots reach bottom of flats and when seedlings have 2 pairs of leaves.
Source: npn.rngr.net