Pyracantha angustifolia (narrowleaf firethorn, "Tachibanamodoki")

Japanese name: タチバナモドキ （橘擬）
Scientific name: Pyracantha angustifolia

[Overview]
An evergreen shrub about 4 m tall.
The branches are dense, grow vigorously, and have thorns.
The young branches are yellowish brown and densely hairy.
The leaves are simple and alternate, linear to oblanceolate, 1.5–5 cm long and 0.4–0.8 cm wide, and thick.
The undersides of the leaves are densely covered with white hairs.
The leaf margins are entire or sometimes toothed.
Corymbs arising from the leaf axils bear many flowers.
The flowers are white with 5 petals.
The fruit is a flattened sphere 5–6 mm across and ripens reddish orange.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or cuttings.
The germination rate falls if the seeds dry out, so take fully ripe fruits, wash off the pulp thoroughly, and sow immediately.
In a sunny, well-drained place it grows well regardless of soil type.
The sunnier the site, the better it fruits.
It dislikes being transplanted when mature.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless summer brings a long spell of sunny weather and the soil becomes severely dry.
In winter, apply organic or slow-release chemical fertilizer.
Prune after flowering, finishing by late autumn when the flower buds form.
It tolerates hard pruning.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

[Notes]
The Japanese name comes from the fruit's resemblance in shape to a mikan (mandarin orange).

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