Formosan Firethorn         pi-ra-KANTH-a koyd-ZUM-ee-i

• Evergreen shrub, 6-12 ft (1.8-3.7 m) tall (equal spread), many cultivars, variable habit. Leaves, alternate, simple, oblanceolate, widest above the middle, entire or slightly serrate toward apex, which is often emarginate (shallow notch at apex), lustrous dark green.  Flowers (spring) perfect, white, 5-petals, 6 mm diam.  Fruit globose, 6 mm diam., red in early fall and persists in winter.
• Sun to part shade, prefers well-drained soil.  Good for hot, dry areas.  Grows vigorously under good conditions.
• Hardy to Zone (7)8  (Much less hardy than P. coccinea).      Native to Taiwan (once called Formosa, hence Formosan Firethorn).