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Practical ecological knowledge for the temperate reader. |
Family: Rosaceae (Rose) [E-flora]
"Shrub, tree, unarmed; evergreen or deciduous.
Leaf: simple, stipuled, petioled, entire.
Inflorescence: flowers 1 or clustered at branch tips; pedicel bractlets 0.
Flower: hypanthium bractlets 0; sepals persistent; petals clawed, erect, pink to ± red or rose, at least near base, or spreading, white; stamens 8–21, anthers darker after flower; ovary inferior, 2–5-chambered, styles 2–5, free.
Fruit: pome, drupe-like, generally orange to red, stones 2–5.
± 400 species: eastern hemisphere; many ornamental. (Latin: quince-like, possibly from leaf shape) [Fryer & Hylmö 2009 Cotoneasters. Timber Press] 2 subgenera, 1 with petals erect, pink to ± red (flower length important), 1 with petals spreading, white (flower width important)." [Jepson]
Local Species;
Caution: Eating enough cotoneaster berries can produce cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. I haven't heard that they taste good, so an adult probably wouldn't eat enough to get sick, but keep an eye on toddlers who may be attracted to the berries. Cyanogenic plant; Cotoneaster Amount of Hydrogen cyanide released: 15-185 ppm [????]
Many cotoneaster species shown to contain prunasin & amygdalin, cyanogenic compounds.[Seigler] Contains prunacin [PCPB]
Uses of non-local, related Cotoneaster Sp.;
References
"Introduction Asian ornamental low-growing shrub that can escape onto rocky open sites (Lomer pers. com. 2012)." [E-flora]
Status: Exotic [E-flora]
References
"Cotoneaster franchetii is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft). It is hardy to zone (UK) 6. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies, midges.It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution." [PFAF]
Origin Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Edible Uses
Other Uses
"General: Low shrub, less than 0.5 m tall; stems spreading, the branches stiff, straight, on a horizontal plane; twigs brown-woolly." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Leaves: Alternate, deciduous or semi-evergreen, egg-shaped to nearly circular, 1-1.5 cm long, entire, abruptly pointed at the tip, dark green, shining and mostly smooth above, paler and sparsely hairy below." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Flowers: Inflorescences of solitary (sometimes paired), axillary, nearly unstalked flowers; corollas pink, the petals 5, erect; calyces hairy, the 5 lobes triangular; ovaries inferior; stamens about 20." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Fruits: Berry-like pomes (like miniature apples), egg- to globe-shaped, about 0.5 cm long, red; stones (nutlets) usually 3." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Dry to mesic waste places or open forests in the lowland zone; rare garden escape on S Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the lower Fraser Valley; introduced from Asia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Synonyms
References
"General: Medium shrub, to 1.5 m tall; stems spreading, the twigs hairy." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Leaves: Alternate, deciduous, egg-shaped to elliptic, 4-8 cm long, entire, long-tapering to pointed tips, nearly smooth above, usually hairy beneath especially on the veins, wrinkled or puckered." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Flowers: Inflorescences short, small, axillary clusters of 3 to 7 short-stalked flowers; corollas pinkish, the petals 5; calyces smooth, the 5 lobes triangular; ovaries inferior; stamens about 20." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Fruits: Berry-like pomes (like miniature apples), egg- to globe-shaped, about 1 cm long, red; stones (nutlets) 4 to 5." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Moist edges of forests and disturbed places in the lowland zone; rare on the lower mainland; introduced from Asia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Synonyms
References
Habitat / Range "Moist edges of forests and disturbed places in the lowland zone; rare on the lower mainland; introduced from Asia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Origin Status: Exotic [E-flora]
"Cotoneaster simonsii is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone (UK) 5. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen in October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies, midges.It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution." [PFAF]
"General: Medium to tall shrub, ascending to erect, 1-4 m tall; twigs appressed-hairy." [IFBC-E-flora]
Other Uses
Cultivation
"An easily grown plant, it prefers a good soil but also does well in poor soils[1, 11, 200]. It thrives in lime and is also happy in peaty soils[1]. It succeeds in any soil that is not marshy or waterlogged[11, 200]. Succeeds in dry soils[188]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade but does not fruit so freely in a shady position[11, 200]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[200]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20oc[184]. A fairly fast-growing species[202]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. The flowers, when inhaled near to, have an unpleasant smell like decaying fish[245]. They are very attractive to bees whilst the fruit is a good winter food source for many species of birds[200]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]." [PFAF]
Hedge "When close trimmed it makes an excellent dense hedge[182]." [PFAF]
Propagation
"Members of this genus hybridize freely so, if you require seed that breeds true, it is important to obtain it from a known wild source or from a controlled fertilization of garden plants. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, when it will usually germinate in the spring[11, 200]. Stored seed germinates faster if given 3 months warm stratification at 15°c and then 3 months cold stratification at 4oc[164]. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 18 months at 15oc but it can take 2 years[164]. Pot the seedlings up as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into nursery beds or into their permanent positions when they are more than 10cm tall. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[11, 200]." [PFAF]