Pyracantha fortuneana

Firethorn at Isaacs Ridge

Pyracantha fortuneana at Isaacs Ridge - 2 May 2015
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Identification history

Pyracantha fortuneana 6 May 2015 MichaelMulvaney
Pyracantha angustifolia 5 May 2015 Mike

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User's notes

Long Gully Road beside Canberra Centenary Trail. One of several Pyracantha species in the area.

3 comments

   7 May 2015
The leaves of Pyracantha angustifolia are hairy on the lower surface and more oblong in shape
Mike wrote:
   8 May 2015
Thanks Michael, I was going by the white underside of the leaves (at least whiter than other plants) which I was told distinguished P. angustifolia. Now I will add hairiness to the identification criteria. Colour of the fruit doesn't seem to be a distinct identification. Does the length of the stalk help with ID? I have looked at the Plantnet key but it doesn't mention the stalks.
   8 May 2015
Pyracantha angustifolia is the only firethorn in the Canberra region that has hairs on the underside of the leaf, so that is a very good ID feature, the fruit are also always orange, which helps a bit. The difference between the other firethorns is more difficult crenatoserrata usually has a rounded leaf apex as opposed to the acute tip of crenlata and rogersiana. P. crenatoserrata is also more obovate than the other species with the upper 2/3 - 4/5 portion of the leaf blade being the widest section, but leaf shape is not fool or Michael proof. I don't think length of stalk helps

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Location information

Sighting information

Species information

  • Pyracantha fortuneana Scientific name
  • Firethorn Common name
  • Not Sensitive
  • Exotic
  • Major weed or pest
  • Up to 750m Recorded at altitude
  • Machine learning
  • In flower
  • External link More information
  • Synonyms

    Pyracantha crenatoserrata

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