Photinia serratifolia (Desf.) Kalkman

Taiwanese Redtip

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Taiwanese Redtip is an introduced evergreen shrub or small tree in the Rose family (Rosaceae). It is native to China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan. In Alabama it is often planted and has been collected as an escape from throughout the state. Taiwanese Redtip is found in mixed forest, in urban woodlands, and along roadsides. It is a large shrub or small tree reaching 30 feet in height. Stems are glabrous and brown or reddish brown when young, brownish gray when older. Leaves are petiolate, alternate, elliptic to oblong or obovate in outline with serrate margins. The large leaves somewhat resemble those of southern magnolia, but have serrate margin. Young leaves are copper-red in color and older leaves are dark green above and lighter green below. Young leaves are pubescent below but quickly glabrescent. Flowers are produced in compound terminal corymbs. Each flower has 5 white petals and 20 stamens. The flowers have a strong unpleasant odor similar to that of Bradford Pear. The fruit is a red or brownish purple globose pome. Taiwanese Redtip is often sold as a landscape plant but its use should be avoided due to its tendency to escape.-A. Diamond.

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Not Native

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