''Pyracantha angustifolia'' is a species of
shrub in the
rose family
Rosaceae (), the rose family, is a medium-sized family of flowering plants that includes 4,828 known species in 91 genera.
The name is derived from the type genus ''Rosa''. Among the most species-rich genera are '' Alchemilla'' (270), ''Sorbus ...
known by the common names narrowleaf firethorn, slender firethorn and woolly firethorn. The flowers are white and produce small round
pomes and can be orange to red in color. These fruits are
astringent
An astringent (sometimes called adstringent) is a chemical that shrinks or constricts body tissues. The word derives from the Latin ''adstringere'', which means "to bind fast". Calamine lotion, witch hazel, and yerba mansa, a Californian pla ...
and bitter, making them inedible for humans, but they are a food source for birds. The leaves, fruit and seeds contain
hydrogen cyanide, the source of the bitter taste. The stems and branches have sharp spines. This shrub is cultivated and grown in yards and gardens as an
ornamental plant
Ornamental plants or garden plants are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars that ...
. It can be used to make hedges for home security. This species is native to China but has been introduced to
North America and
Australia. It is an
invasive species in
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state ...
and in other areas.
info from hear.org
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References
External links
Jepson Manual Treatment
Photo gallery
angustifolia
Endemic flora of China
Taxa named by Adrien René Franchet
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