Common Name:

General Information

Pyracantha angustifolia is a spiny, evergreen shrub of a dense, spreading, bushy habit; it can grow up to 3 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, and is grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as part of a shelterbelt.
Pyracantha angustifolia has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].
Pyracantha angustifolia is often grown as an ornamental, especially for its display when in fruit. The seeds are spread by birds who eat the fruits and the plant often becomes naturalized. It forms dense thickets that exclude other plants and make access difficult due to its thorns[].

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - India (eastern Himalayas), southern and southeastern China

Habitat

Thickets on slopes, at roadsides; at elevations from 1,600 - 3,000 metres[]. Moist and wet forests and open areas as an invasive weed in Hawaii[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pyracantha angustifolia is a fairly cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -10°c[].
Prefers a good well-drained, moisture retentive loamy soil[, ]. Succeeds in any soil that is warm and not very heavy[]. Another report says that it grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds on chalky soils[]. Succeeds in sun or part shade, though it does not fruit so well in a shady position[]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and reasonable exposure[].
Plants are not reliably hardy in the colder areas of Britain[].
Susceptible to scab and fireblight[], especially when grown on acid sandy soils[]. Pyracantha species in general are hosts of the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, which causes fireblight, a disease that seriously affects various cultivated fruit crops such as apples and pears[].
Birds are less attracted to the fruit of this species than they are to other members of the genus, and the fruit can hang on the plant through the winter[, ].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. Mainly only used in times of shortage[]. No more details are given but the fruit is unlikely to be that inspiring, particularly when it is said that this is the least interesting fruit of the genus for birds![]. The brilliant orange-yellow fruit is about 5 - 8mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A fairly wind-tolerant shrub, it can be used in shelterbelt plantings[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. Remove all the fruit flesh since this can inhibit germination[]. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification, sow it as early in the year as possible in a cold frame[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of almost mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, mid-August in a cold frame[]. Pot up in early autumn or the following spring[].