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Project Noah Nature School
Heteromeles arbutifolia
The pulp of immature fruits contains a toxic cyanogenic glucoside that protects developing fruits from bird predation. As the fruit ripens, the cyanogenic glucosides gradually shift out of the pulp and into the seed, pulp carbohydrate levels increase, and fruits turn from green to bright red. The fruits become more attractive to birds as they ripen, and bird dispersal of the seeds is encouraged. Subsequent seed predation is prevented by the localization of cyanogenic glycosides in the seeds.
foothills of mt diablo.
@ Karen ,here is a link for you. You can have all the toyon questions answered to your hearts content. If you post a question ,they will reply in a week.
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/...
Thanks Ava & Emma! We're developing our 8 acres into wildlife habitat & I'm aiming to plant native shrubs that provide a succession of fruit so that the birds, foxes, raccoons & other wildlife have a constant source & variety of natural food. This looks to be a good addition though I don't think it's native to TN.
@ karen, i think that you should be able to grow it in Tennesseee.
Toyon can be grown in domestic gardens in well drained soil, and is cultivated as an ornamental plant as far north as Southern England. It can survive temperatures as low as -12°C. The bush is handsome all year round and the bright red berries in winter are showy (which birds often eat voraciously)
@KarenL -- here's some information on Toyon. http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-cali...
And Emma -- what interesting information!
Hollywood actually may take its name from toyon, since it was a principle plant in the chaparral of the Hollywood hills.
@Ava,the seeds of these plants are toxic.
Many birds that eat a lot of fruit separate out the seeds and regurgitate them, but the Cedar Waxwing lets them pass right through. Scientists have used this trait to estimate how fast waxwings can digest fruits
Sounds like a good plant for my bird garden though I guess I should check to see if they will be hardy in Tennessee!
@ Ava this is Toyon. Thankyou again.
The pulp of immature fruits contains a toxic cyanogenic glucoside that protects developing fruits from bird predation. As the fruit ripens, the cyanogenic glucosides gradually shift out of the pulp and into the seed, pulp carbohydrate levels increase, and fruits turn from green to bright red. The fruits become more attractive to birds as they ripen, and bird dispersal of the seeds is encouraged. Subsequent seed predation is prevented by the localization of cyanogenic glycosides in the seeds.
Spotted on Dec 3, 2011
Submitted on Dec 3, 2011
+2
