Toyon
‘Kuuhik
‘Iipay Aa name: kuuhik
Common name: toyon
Scientific name: Heteromeles arbutfolia
Toyon or kuuhik, in ‘Iipay Aa, is a shrub that stays green all year. It grows to about eight feet tall and ten feet wide. Its leaves are a deep green color. The toyon gets a large quantity of flowers that bloom in the summer; they are small and white. In the fall and winter the flowers become bright, red berries. Toyon has thick, leathery leaves that are excellent at retaining moisture and reflecting heat away in the dry season. Toyon also has a deep root system that can reach ground water year-round.
Photos courtesy of Stan Shebs and John Rusk.
The flowers and nectar attract pollinators such as native bees, butterflies, and moths. Many birds eat the berries, including mockingbirds, cedar waxwings, and scrub jays. Mammals such as coyotes, deer, and bears also eat the berries.
Kumeyaay People use the toyon berries for food. After the berries are fully ripened, they are gathered and exposed to heat from the sun to bring out the sweetness. The leaves and stems are used for medicinal purposes. The branches are used for tools.