Chinese fire-thorn, Torch fruit
Pyracantha fortuneana

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 2-3 m high. The small branches are dark brown. They are hairy when young. The short shoots end in a thorn. The leaves are broadly oval and 2-6 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The flowers are white. The fruit are 5 mm across.

non P. fortuneana (Maxim.) H. L. Li (= Photinia sp.)

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in Yunnan in China between 1500-2000 m altitude. It grows in secondary forest. Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Central America, China (country/location of origin), Indonesia, SE Asia, Tibet

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

It is only occasionally eaten. It is commonly used as a famine food.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. It is planted as a hedge.

Its other names

Local names

Abalugu, Duri api jingga, Jubingliang, Sare, Scarlet firethorn

Synonyms

See Pyracantha crenatoserrata;