firethorn or pyracantha Pyracantha coccinea, an evergreen shrub native to S. Europe and Asia Minor. It bears copious small, round, bright red berries, and is often grown as an ornamental plant.
The berries are edible, although sour, and can be made into an agreeably sharp sauce or jelly for serving with meat. Raw berries can also be squeezed and a little of the juice added to sweet orange juice. The two flavours complement each other.
© the Estate of Alan Davidson 1999, 2006, 2014 © in the Editor’s contribution to the second and third editions, Oxford University Press 2006, 2014.