pyracantha

American  

[pahy-ruh-kan-thuh] / ˌpaɪ rəˈkæn θə /

noun

plural

pyracanthas

1. firethorn.

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pyracantha British  

/ ˌpaɪrəˈkænθə /

noun

1. any rosaceous shrub of the genus Pyracantha, esp the firethorn, widely cultivated for ornament

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Etymology

Origin of pyracantha

1700–10; < New Latin Pyracantha type genus < Greek pȳrákantha kind of shrub, equivalent to pŷr fire + ákantha thorn

Example Sentences

A quarter of coyotes’ diet was found to be ornamental fruit, including fruit from palm trees, small red berries called pyracantha, and grapes found around people’s homes.

From The Guardian • Apr. 12, 2019

Privet is certainly the quickest growing shrub for that purpose, but, as it is so common, other shrubs, such as pyrus japonica, arbutus, barberry, and pyracantha, may be used.

From Small Gardens and How to Make the Most of Them by Biddle, Violet Purton

The orange-berried pyracantha cretaegus is seen in all its glory on the north.

From Palaces and Courts of the Exposition by James, Juliet Helena Lumbard

For closely clipped or sheared hedges, the best plants are arbor vitae, retinospora, hemlock, Norway spruce, privet, buckthorn, box, osage orange, pyracantha, Citrus trifoliata.

From Manual of Gardening (Second Edition) by Bailey, L. H. (Liberty Hyde)