Common Name:

General Information

Pyracantha koidzumii is a thorny, evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 4 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

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 - Taiwan

Habitat

Rocky valley areas, seashores, thickets, among shrubs[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pyracantha koidzumii is not hardy in the colder areas of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[]. It succeeds outdoors at Kew[].
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 in sun or part shade, though it does not fruit so well in a shady position[]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and reasonable exposure, though it requires protection from cold winds[].
Plants are susceptible to scab and fireblight[], especially when they are 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[].
Closely related to Pyracantha crenulata[].
There are a number of named forms selected for their ornamental value[]. 'Santa Cruz', 'Rosedale' and 'Victory' all have fruits larger than the type species[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. No more details are given, though the fruits of Pyracantha species are generally seen as famine foods and only eaten when better foods are unavailable[].. The orange-red, depressed-globose fruit is about 4 - 7mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

None known

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[].