Nepal Firethorn, Nepalese white thorn
Pyracantha crenulata

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows to about 3 m high. It has spines. The leaves have stalks. They are crowded on short side branches. The leaves are 1.5-5.5 cm long by 0.8-1.8 cm wide. They are oblong or oval. They narrow towards the base. They are rounded teeth. The flowers are on stalks. The flower petals are white. The fruit is round and red. They are 6 mm across.

There are 7 Pyracantha species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1000-2500 m altitude. In grows on open hillsides among other shrubs. In Vietnam it grows at 1,600 m above sea level. In Garhwal Himalayas in India. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Tibet, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. The leaves are used for tea.

The fruit are eaten in large quantities.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Broad-leaf firethorn, Chaido, Chinese firethorn, Cha-kou-tzu, Choota seb, Duri api cina, Duri api merah, Ghangaru, Ghangyar, Ghingaru, Himalayan firethorn, Kaatha gedi, Small round serrate firethorn, Xiyuanchi Huoji

Synonyms

Cratægus crenulata Roxb.; Mespilus crenulatus D.Don;