Leaves elliptical (oval, symmetric with the widest part in the middle of the leaf) or oblong (oval, longer than wide, but with flattening of the margins in the middle of the leaf), ~5-10 cm long and 2-4 cm wide, with a petiole ~1-2 cm long, glabrous (smooth-surfaced) to the point of shiny and dark green/olive green on top and a lighter green, duller glabrous or lightly tomentose (woolly) underneath. Quite sclerophyllous (tough, leathery) and with many short sharp teeth on the margins. Pinnate veining (veins branching off from the main axis of the leaf). Sometimes leaf margins and teeth curl toward the underside. Small white flowers (rarely yellowish) in terminal clusters. The flowers are kind of like the wild rose's, only smaller, with 5 petals ~ 0.2- 0.5 cm long, 5 small triangular sepals (~0.1 cm long), and 10 stamens (male anther and filament structures). Blooms from June to July. Clusters of small red berries ~ 0.5-1 cm across, in the late fall. The plant forms a tall shrub, usually ~2-5 m high, but it can reach up to 10 m high on shadier slopes. The shrub has a rounded or loosely irregular shape, with greyish bark and lightly woolly (tomentose) young branchlets. It is highly toxic if any parts are ingested. Found in canyons and on slopes below ~1,300 m throughout much of California, including the Channel Islands, and Baja, except in the deserts to the east. Like humans, this species is the only living representative of its genus!
Heteromeles arbutifolia aka H. salicifolia aka Photinia arbutifolia (Rosaceae): toyon or Xmas berry or christmasberry
The development of this key was partially funded through the Geoscience Diversity Enhancement Program (Award #0703798) and through a course of re-assigned time provided by the CSULB Scholarly and Creative Activities Committee. Thanks also to the students in sections of biogeography, introductory physical geography, GDEP, and LSAMP for "test-driving" various editions of this key.