Toyon, or California Christmas Berry, is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing 6 to 10 feet high and forming a round crown. The elliptical leaves are 2 to 4 inches long, dark green above and lighter underneath. By Christmas, the tree produces attractive red berries that add a cheerful note to the winter landscape and to provide a feast for robins, mockingbirds and cedar waxwings.

Toyon berries were gathered by many Indian tribes. The berries were roasted over open coals or boiled in a cooking basket to take away the bitter taste of the fresh fruit. Indians also made a tea from the bark to cure stomach aches. Today, this beautiful and useful shrub is planted extensively in parks and gardens.