Marilyn Sallee,
Invaders of Texas Program
Family: Rosaceae (rose family)
Synonym(s):
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0
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.
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.
Biology & Spread:
Ecological Threat: Can escape into shaded woodlands and creek sides.
US Habitat: Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade
Distribution
US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.
Native Origin: Asia
US States:
Resembles/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.
Listing Source
Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station
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.
Data Source
Last Updated: 2007-11-08 by