Definition of Photinia
1
: a genus of small trees and shrubs (family Rosaceae) native to Asia that have shining, evergreen leaves, showy white paniculate or corymbose flower clusters, and typically red fruits and that are widely cultivated as ornamentals
2
plural photinias
photinia
: any plant of the genus Photinia
- Photinia has long been a standout among shrubs because of one peculiar characteristic: Its leaves, when first formed, are a bright scarlet red—before they eventually turn to a prosaic green.
- —Joshua Siskin, Daily News of Los Angeles, 20 Dec. 2003
- Overgrown photinias are not so tolerant to severe pruning, so need to be cut back selectively to allow sunlight into the interior.
- —Tony Tomeo, San Jose (California) Mercury News, 8 Sept. 2011
Note:
The genus Photinia sometimes includes the closely related toyon, which is now typically classified in the monotypic genus Heteromeles.
