Evergreen shrubs with small white flowers in spring and an abundance of orange-red berries in the fall. All species have needlelike thorns. Some varieties will color early in the summer. They are well liked by birds. All plants are vigorous growers and vary in growth habits form upright to spreading.

At least 2 species are mentioned in correspondence and nursery lists and several cultivars that were available between 1932-1944. In one letter to Nigel Keep, Hearst refers to Pyracanthus as "those berries". (May 5, 1932)