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Scarlet Firethorn

Pyracantha coccinea

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in planted, persistent around old homesites, and rarely escaped to woodlands. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Arkansas. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
6–18 feet
Spread
8–18 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Somewhat dry to moist
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At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Semi-evergreen or evergreen
Bloom
March to May
Fruiting season
August to January

County records are not available.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

13CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AR

Genus host records with ranges including AR · Pyracantha

  • Acrobasis indigenellaLeaf Crumpler
  • Acronicta oblinitaSmeared Dagger
  • Antaeotricha leucillanaWell-Marked Leaf Tier, Pale Gray Bird-Dropping Moth
  • Automeris ioIo Moth
  • Coelodasys unicornisUnicorn Caterpillar Moth
  • Grapholita packardiCherry Fruit Worm
  • Megalopyge opercularisSouthern Flannel Moth, Puss Caterpillar
  • Oedemasia concinnaRed-Humped Caterpillar, Red-Humped Appleworm
  • Oiketicus abbotiiAbbot's Bagworm Moth
  • Orgyia leucostigmaWhite-Marked Tussock Moth
Show all 13
  • Schizura ipomaeaeMorning-Glory Prominent, Checkered-Fringe Prominent
  • Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformisEvergreen Bagworm Moth
  • Zale lunataLunate Zale
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Rosaceae
Hardiness
Zones 6a–9b
Soil pH
Acidic to neutral
Flower color
White
Growth rate
Rapid
Growth habit
Single crown
Foliage color
Green
Fruit begins
August
Fruit ends
January

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Conservation status

Arkansas rankSNA
Global rankGNR
AR statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources