toyon
toyon Lexical Profile
toyon Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A common perennial evergreen shrub or small tree (Heteromeles arbutifolia) in the rose family (Rosaceae), native to California and northwestern Mexico, bearing leathery serrated leaves, clusters of small white summer flowers, and bright red winter berries.
"The drought-tolerant hillsides of Southern California are dotted with native toyon and coastal sage."
North American The small, bright red, berry-like pome fruit produced in dense winter clusters by the toyon shrub, traditionally roasted or dried for food and beverages by Indigenous peoples of California.
"Although astringent when raw, cooked toyon was historically mashed into porridge or steeped to make a cider-like drink."
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 19th century from American Spanish toyón, itself derived from a word in the Ohlone (Costanoan) Indigenous languages of central coastal California.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.