SafePlants

Christmasberry: A Festive Plant with Many Faces

The name "Christmasberry" is used to refer to several different shrubs or small trees, all known for their colorful fruit. Understanding which plant is being referenced is crucial, as the characteristics and potential considerations can vary.

Considerations for Pets

• Some Christmasberry varieties are spiny shrubs.
• The plant produces small red berries.

Considerations for Children

• Some Christmasberry varieties are spiny shrubs.
• The plant produces small red berries.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Common Names: Christmasberry, Christmas Berry, Christmas-berry, California Holly, Brazilian Pepper Tree, Florida Holly, Pepper Tree, Toyon, Carolina Wolfberry
• Scientific Names: Several plants are called "Christmasberry," including:
  • Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Brazilian Peppertree)
  • Lycium carolinianum Walter (Carolina Wolfberry)
  • Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon, often placed in genus Photinia by some)
  • Photinia fraseri 'Red Robin'
  • Crossopetalum
• Family: Anacardiaceae (for Schinus terebinthifolius), Rosaceae (for Heteromeles arbutifolia/Photinia arbutifolia)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Dicotyledonae

Distribution and Habitat

• Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian Peppertree) is native to Brazil and was introduced to Hawai'i before 1911.
• Lycium carolinianum (Carolina Wolfberry) is commonly found in the southeastern United States, especially at the edge of salt marshes and on sandy shell.
• Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon) is native to the Pacific coast of the United States. It is found in forty-five of California's fifty-eight counties.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Christmasberry (unspecified variety) is described as an upright perennial shrub that grows 1.5–6 feet (0.46–1.83 m) tall, maintaining a caespitose growth pattern and often being multi-trunked.
• Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian Peppertree) is an evergreen shrub or tree up to 6 meters tall.
• Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon) is an evergreen shrub or small tree that usually grows to 6-8 ft. high and 4-5 ft. wide, but can reach 15-20 ft.
• They are generally described as having glossy green leaves and deeply colored, small red berries.
• Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon) is identified by thick, leathery, glossy dark green leaves. In winter, it has bright red berries.

Ecological Role

• Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian Peppertree) is considered an invasive species in some regions, including Hawai'i.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Christmasberry (unspecified variety) may affect internal parasites in goats.
• There are studies evaluating insect agents for biological control of Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian Peppertree) in Hawai`i.
• Raw Hawaiian Christmas Berry Honey is gathered by bees from the Schinus terebinthifolius shrub.

Quirky Facts

• Christmasberry (unspecified variety) fruits from Christmas to April.
• Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian Peppertree) is also known as Brazilian pepper tree for the aromatic smell of its leaves.

Further Information

• The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) provides information on Photinia fraseri 'Red Robin' Christmas berry 'Red Robin'.
• The Noun Project has icons tagged with "christmas berry."
• Wiktionary has a definition for "Christmas berry."