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Federal Noxious Weed
TDA Noxious Weed
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US

NOTE: means species is on that list.

Photinia x fraseri


Redtip photinia

Synonym(s):
Family: Rosaceae (rose family)
Duration and Habit: Perennial Shrub


Photographer: Marilyn Sallee
Source: Invaders of Texas Program

Description

Long a traditional hedge shrub in the American South, red tip (Photinea x fraseri), also called red top, has distinctive foliage that is bright red when young. As it matures it passes through shades of reddish-copper eventually maturing to a rich dark green. The glossy leaves are finely serrated and arranged alternately on the stem. They are 3 in (7.6 cm) to 5.5 in (cm) inches in length and 1.5-2 in (3.1-5.1 cm) wide. The shrub typically grows 10-12 ft (3.1-3.7 m) in height but may reach 15 ft (4.6 m) if the situation is to its liking. Small white flowers appear in spring arranged in flat-domed, 5-7 in (12.7-17.8 cm) diameter clusters.

Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Redtip photinia.

Ecological Threat: Can escape into shaded woodlands and creek sides.

Biology & Spread:

History: Photinia x fraseri is a hybrid cross of Chinese native, Photinia serratifolia (syn=Photinia serrulata) and the Japanese native, Photinia glabra. It was discovered in a seed lot at Fraser's Nurseries in Alabama ca. 1940. (Dirr).The red tip (P. x fraseri) is a hybrid. It resembles a supersized version of one of its parents, the Japanese photinia (P. glabra) which is smaller in stature and leaf size.

U.S. Habitat: Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade

Distribution

U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: Asia

U.S. Present:

Distribution in Texas: Distributed widely around the state as an ornamental.

Mapping

Invaders of Texas Map: Photinia x fraseri
EDDMapS: Photinia x fraseri
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Photinia x fraseri

Invaders of Texas Observations

List All Observations of Photinia x fraseri reported by Citizen Scientists

Native Alternatives

Management

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Text References

Dirr, M.A. 1990. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. 4th ed. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing Company.

Scheper, J. 2005. Photinea x fraseri. Floridata. Accessed April 2009: http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/phot_xfr.cfm.

Online Resources

Search Online

Google Search: Photinia x fraseri
Google Images: Photinia x fraseri
NatureServe Explorer: Photinia x fraseri
USDA Plants: Photinia x fraseri
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Photinia x fraseri
Bugwood Network Images: Photinia x fraseri

Last Updated: 2007-11-08 by
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