History & Introduction
Introduced from its native Korea, Japan and China in the 1860’s, Photinia villosa has been a popular ornamental shrub for over a century. It is now naturalized in four states, although its potential planting and expansion range covers a much wider distribution. P. villosa has escaped cultivation and is becoming increasingly invasive in northern New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and parts of Virginia, New York and Connecticut. In LIISMA, the plant is considered a Tier 3, high impact species listed for containment. As of 2023, there is one research grade observation LIISMA is aware of in Suffolk county.
Identification & Biology
P. villosa is a deciduous shrub or small tree of the rose family. Unless trained as a tree, it will typically mature to 10-15’ tall and wide with an irregularly shaped oval crown. P. villosa prefers moist, well-draining soils and full sun to part shade. The plant can be found in forests, thickets, streams, slopes, and roadsides in its native territories. It has simple, alternate, serrate, elliptic to obovate leaves with 5-7 pairs of leaf veins. The leaves emerge a bronze color in spring, and then mature to dark green by summer, finally producing yellow, orange and red colors in fall. Creamy white, five petaled flowers bloom in spring, in terminal panicles. The flowers are followed by red pome fruits, which ripen in fall but persist on the tree well into winter. This is where the common name “Christmas berry” originated from. Mature plants produce ample fruit, with each persisting pome fruit carrying up to four seeds. These are easily distributed by birds and small mammals.
Damage and Concern
P. villosa is capable of producing copious amounts of seeds that are then dispersed readily by birds and other small mammals. The shrub is very opportunistic and spreads rapidly into new habitats, especially in disturbed areas. This species may form thickets which thus may monopolize the shrub understory layer of forests and wooded areas. The shrub displaces other native species in the area, and shades out germinating seedlings with its dense canopy.
Management & Control
Manual/Mechanical:
Pulling / Digging Up: Control through pulling is possible but root sprouting will take place with larger individuals. This method is better used with immature plants or seedlings.
Mowing: Mowing is not advised. P. villosa strongly re-sprouts from the root crown. Cutting and mowing strongly increases stem count and density of re sprouts.
Chemical:
Foliar Spray: A mixture of glyphosate and triclopyr is effective at managing P. villosa. infestations. It is best to visit the site 2-3 weeks post treatment to monitor for re sprouts.
Cut Stump: According to Lower Hudson PRISM, “a 50% solution of glyphosate is effective at managing larger plants when applied in the late summer or fall (2).”
Basal Bark: According to Lower Hudson PRISM, “a 25% solution of triclopyr in oil is effective on small shrubs when applied during the growing season. Spray must be applied to 18” of exposed bark (2).”
Monitoring & Reporting
LIISMA is currently monitoring P. villosa as part of our Early Detection and Rapid Response program. As reports of the species are collected, LIISMA is dedicated to addressing emerging infestations of the species before they become widespread. P. villosa is currently a Tier 3 species on Long Island, prioritized for early detection and containment.
Your reports matter to us– report the species to iMapinvasives as soon as you detect it.
Citations
- https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286619&isprofile=0&
- https://www.lhprism.org/species/photinia-villosa
- https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/photinia-villosa
