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Toyon Facts

Toyon Facts
Toyon is an evergreen plant that belongs to the family of roses. It originates from California. Toyon can be found in the ravines, mixed-evergreen forests, oak woodlands, north slopes of chaparral and mountains. It grows on the clay or sandy soil, exposed to direct sunlight or in the partial shade. Branches of toyon were important part of Christmas decorations in the past. Unfortunately, number of toyons rapidly started to decline due to massive and uncontrollable exploitation of wild plants. Starting from 1920s, harvest of any part of toyon from the wild is prohibited by law. Besides in the USA, toyon is popular and often cultivated as ornamental plant in Europe (especially in the Mediterranean region).
Interesting Toyon Facts:
Toyon can grow in the form of large shrub or small tree. It can reach 6 to 15 feet in height.
Toyon develops strong, wide, multi-branched root system which easily collects all available water.
Toyon has simple, elliptical leaves with serrated edges. They are dark green on the upper surface, light-colored below. Leaves are thick, leathery and covered with layer of wax on the surface (it prevents loss of water via transpiration). Leaves are alternately arranged on the branches.
Toyon produces small white flowers arranged in the form of large, flat clusters at the end of the branches. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs (perfect).
Toyon blooms during the June and July. Flowers attract butterflies and bees, main pollinators of this species.
Fruit of toyon is orange-red, berry-like pome. Fruit has fleshy meat and one or two brown seed. It becomes fully ripe during the winter, usually around Christmas. That's why toyon is also known as Christmas berry.
Toyon is also known as California holly. Since it grows in abundance on the hills outside the Los Angeles, entire region covered with these plants became known as "Hollywood".
Scientific name of toyon is Heteromeles arbutifolia. Name could be translate as: "different kind of apple with madrone-like leaves" (madrone=type of evergreen tree).
Toyon propagates via seed and root sprouts.
Immature fruit is loaded with toxic cyanogenic glycosides (group of compounds). During the ripening process, cyanogenic glycosides "migrate" from the pulp to the seed and make fully ripe fruit safe for the consumption.
Mockingbirds, cedar waxwings and robins eat toyon and play important role in dispersal of seed.
Native Americans consumed toyon in roasted and dried form (raw fruit has bitter taste). They also used toyon for the preparation of cider and jams.
Native Americans used tea made of toyon leaves in treatment of stomach disorders. They also used leaves for cleaning of sores.
Toyon has strong wood that was used for the manufacture of tools and weapons in the past.
Toyon is perennial plant that can survive 100 to 200 years in the wild.


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