PYRACANTHA. 



CRAT^GUS PYRACANTHA. 



POMACES. ICOSANDRIA DIGYNIA, 



French, buisson ardent. 



The Pyracantha is a species of the Mespilus, placed 

 apart only because it is best known by its specific name. 

 Some call it the Evergreen Thorn, a name common to 

 many shrubs ; and it was formerly known by the appel- 

 lation of the Prickly Coral. The great beauty of this 

 shrub is its fruit ; the glossy bunches of beautiful scarlet 

 berries, with which it is covered in the winter. It is 

 generally trained against a wall, that these berries may 

 be seen to greater advantage ; and on a white, or pale- 

 coloured wall, the bunches of red berries, intermingled 

 with the green leaves, form a fine and pleasing contrast. 

 The leaves fall only as the new ones dispossess them. 

 The blossoms are white and small. 



The Pyracantha is a native of the south of Europe, 

 and very abundant on Mount Caucasus, and in China. 

 It was cultivated in England in 1629 : with us it flowers 

 in May, The berries are eaten by birds. 



" Phillyrea here and pyracantha spread 

 Their verdant foliage^, and berries red. 

 In glowing clusters ; beauteous food ; unmeet 

 For man, but to the welcome birds most sweet ; 

 And every song that made their summer merry 

 The shrubs repay in winter with a berry." 



CowiEY, book vi. 



