Pyracantha

Since I've already spent some time lately revisiting last autumn's trip to Paris, I may as well stay there for a few more days.

Here's a shot of Pyracantha coccinea, or firethorn, growing in the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise.


I'm not sure that firethorn is a plant that I would jump to use in a planting plan, but you do enjoy its fruit this time of year. As you can see, the plant has a generous bounty of berry-like pomes each fall. Depending on the cultivar, you can get the fruit in shades of orange or red.

Firethorn is a direct translation of the genus name. Pyra- refers to fire, and -cantha, when used in plant nomenclature, typically means thorn or spine.