Firethorn (Pyracantha species)
Also known as:
, Orange firethorn , Nepalese firethorn , Broadleaf firethorn , Asian firethorn
Firethorns are spiny shrubs or small trees with white flowers. The spines can injure people and animals, and they outcompete native plants.
Profile
How does this weed affect you?
Firethorns:
- outcompete native plants by creating dense shade
- form dense thickets that restrict access to people and animals
- have spines that could injure people or animals.
What does it look like?
Firethorns are evergreen spiny shrubs or small trees. They have leaves of different shapes and sizes on the one plant. All species have white flowers that are present in spring and summer. They produce small, round fruit that matures in autumn.
Four species have naturalised in NSW.
Orange firethorn (Pyracantha angustifolia), which:
- is a spiny shrub up to 4 m tall with dense foliage
- has white hairs on the young stems
- has narrow oblong leaves up to 5 cm long and 8 mm wide that are rolled backwards on the edges, dark green on top and whitish undersides
- has yellow to deep orange fruit 5-8 mm in diameter.
Nepalese firethorn (Pyracantha crenulata), which:
- is a shrub or small tree up to 3 m tall
- has rusty red hairs on the young stems
- has toothed leaves up to 6 cm long and 1 cm wide,
- has dark red to crimson fruit, up to 1 cm in diameter.
Broadleaf firethorn (Pyracantha fortuneana), which:
- is a sprawling shrub up to 1 m high
- has short spines and hairy young twigs
- oval to spoon-shaped toothed leaves up to 5 cm long and 2 cm wide
- has bright red fruit, up to 7 mm in diameter.
Asian firethorn (Pyracantha rogersiana), which:
- is a shrub up to 3 m tall
- has white hairs on the young stems
- has coarsely toothed leaves up to 4 cm long and 1 cm wide
- has yellow to orange-red fruit, up to 4 mm in diameter.
Similar looking plants
Firethorns look similar to other weeds including:
- Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster species), which are never spiny and never have toothed leaves.
- Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), which has diamond shaped leaves with deep lobes. Sometimes the flowers are pink.
Where is it found?
In NSW, Firethorns grow in the Northern Tablelands, southern parts of the North Coast, Hunter, Greater Sydney, Central Tablelands and South East regions.
Most firethorns are native to Asia. Asian firethorn and Broadleaf firethorn are native to China. Orange firethorn is native to south western China. Nepalese Firethorn is native to the Himalayas.
What type of environment does it grow in?
Firethorns are found in warm temperate to cool, subtropical climates. They can grow in a wide variety of soil types.
Firethorns grow:
- in disturbed areas such as roadsides and ditches
- along waterways
- in grasslands and pastures
- in woodlands and sclerophyll forests.
Maps and records
-
Recorded presence of Firethorn during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2026)
These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.
How does it spread?
By seed
Plants start producing fruit when they are about 3 years old. Seeds may remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years and there may be up to 1000 seeds per square metre.
Seeds are spread:
- mostly by birds, especially currawongs
- by other animals including foxes, rats and possums.
- in water
- in contaminated soil
- by people dumping garden waste.
References
Bass, D.A. (1996). Pied currawongs and invading ornamentals: what’s happening in northern New South Wales. In Proceedings of the 11th Australian Weeds Conference, CAWS. Melbourne.
Csurhes, S. Weber, J. and Zhou, Y. 2016. Invasive plant risk assessment: Firethorn Pyracantha species. State of Queensland.
Muyt, A. (2001). Bush invaders of south-east Australia, R.G. and F.J. Richardson, Victoria,
PIER - Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk (2011). Pyracantha angustifolia. Retrieved 5 December 2024 from
www.hear.org/pier/species/pyracantha_angustifolia.htm
Richardson, F. J., Richardson, R. G., & Shepherd, R. C. H. (2011). Weeds of the south-east: an identification guide for Australia (No. Ed. 3). CSIRO.
Williams, P. A., Karl, B.J., Bannister, P. and Lee, W.G. (2000). Small mammals as potential seed dispersers in New Zealand. Austral Ecology 25(5): 523–532.
More information
Control
Successful weed control requires follow up after the initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful.
Wear appropriate protective clothing to protect against the sharp spines.
Physical control
Small plants can be hand pulled. Larger plants may be dug out. Make sure all of the roots are removed.
Chemical control
Basal barking
Apply herbicide mixed with diesel to cover the lower stem, all the way around the base of the plant.
Cut stump method
Cut trunks or stems and apply herbicide to the stump within 15 seconds of cutting.
Stem injection
Drill or make cuts into the sapwood and fill with herbicide within 15 seconds of cutting or drilling.
Herbicide options
WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Fluroxypyr 200 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 35 mL per L diesel/kerosene
Comments: Basal bark
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock feed for 7 days after application. See label for further information.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Fluroxypyr 333 g/L
(Starane™ Advanced)
Rate: 21 mL per L diesel/kerosene
Comments: Basal bark
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock food for 7 days after application. See label for more information.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: One part product to 1.5 parts water
Comments: Cut stump or stem injection
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Glyphosate 360 g/L
with Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 1:1.5 glyphosate to water + 1 g metsulfuron to 1 L water
Comments: Stem injection
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 20 mL per 1 L of water
Comments: Spot spray seedlings.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Biosecurity duty
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
| Area | Duty |
|---|---|
| All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
| North West |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. This Regional Recommended Measure applies to all species of Pyracanth. |
| *To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Reviewed 2025
