Genus and Species: Heteromeles arbutifolia 
Common Name: Toyon 

Habit and Cultural Information:

Type:  Evergreen
Category:  Shrub or Tree 
Origin:  California 
Height:  8-25 ft.
Width:  8-20 ft.
Form:  Dense Spreading
Water needs:  Drought tolerant once established
Sunset Western Garden zones:  5-9, 14-24 
Winter hardiness:  -12 degrees
Exposure:  Full sun or partial shade 
Foliage:  Leathery dark green 
Bloom time:  Summer
Fruit or seed:  Red berries 
Flower:  Small white in flattish clusters

Other Details:  Native to California and drought tolerant the Heteromeles arbutifolia or commonly called Toyon is excellent for hillside coverage and screening but can also be pruned into a small tree that has dense foliage. Accordingly, “the abundance of this species in the hills above Los Angeles… gave rise to the name “Hollywood.” In the 1920s, collecting Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon branches for Christmas became so popular in Los Angeles that the State of California passed a law forbidding collecting on public land. Heteromeles arbutifolia are visited by butterflies and the fruit are consumed by birds. Mammals including coyotes and bears also eat and disperse the pomes. The Toyon pomes provided food for local Native American tribes and the pomes also can be made into a jelly. Native Americans also made a tea from the leaves as a stomach remedy. Heteromeles arbutifolia or Toyon was adopted as the official native plant of the city of Los Angeles by the LA City Council on April 17, 2012.