pyracantha

[pahy-ruh-kan-thuh]

noun

plural

pyracanthas 

1. firethorn.

pyracantha

/ ˌpaɪrəˈkænθə /

noun

1. any rosaceous shrub of the genus Pyracantha, esp the firethorn, widely cultivated for ornament

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyracantha¹

1700–10; < New Latin Pyracantha type genus < Greek pȳrákantha kind of shrub, equivalent to pŷr fire + ákantha thorn

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyracantha¹

C17: from Greek purakantha name of a shrub, from _pyro- + akantha thorn

Example Sentences

The familiar workhorses of the birds’ berry buffet, like Pyracantha and holly, mountain ash and Nandina, are all pretty enough.

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She pairs golden and limey evergreens with interesting bits of nature in red and orange, like rosehips and holly or Pyracantha berries.

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A quarter of coyotes’ diet was found to be ornamental fruit, including fruit from palm trees, small red berries called pyracantha, and grapes found around people’s homes.

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Beware, however, the intimidating family of shrubs — barberry, quince, pyracantha, cactus.

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Beware, however, the intimidating family of shrubs - barberry, quince, pyracantha, cactus.

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