Cotoneaster Facts
Cotoneaster Facts
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| Interesting Cotoneaster Facts: |
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| Cotoneaster grows in the form of shrub or small tree. It develops prostrate (that grows close to the ground) or erect stem that can reach 1.6 to 49 feet in height, depending on the species. |
| Cotoneaster produces numerous branches arranged in the crisscross manner. Stems of young plants are usually covered with hairs. |
| Cotoneaster has dark green or gray green leaves that can be elliptical, lanceolate or ovate in shape. Leaves are smooth on the edges. Bottom side of the leaves is covered with hairs. Leaves are alternately arranged on the branches. |
| Most species of cotoneaster discard their leaves before the winter (deciduous). Several species of cotoneaster are covered with leaves all year round (evergreen). |
| Cotoneaster produces small, white, creamy or pink flowers that grow either solitary or arranged in the clusters composed of 5 to 15 individual flowers. |
| Cotoneaster blooms from June to September. Flowers attract bees and butterflies which are responsible for the pollination of this plant. |
| Fruit of cotoneaster is berry-like pome filled with one to three seed. Fruit can be orange, red or nearly black colored. It ripens from September to February. Fruit of some species remains on the branches until the next season. |
| Cotoneaster propagates via seed and via root sprouting. |
| Birds (especially birds from the group of thrushes) eat fruit and eliminate undigested seed via feces (they facilitate dispersal of seed in the wild). |
| Fruit of cotoneaster has powdery texture and unpleasant taste. It is not used in human diet because it contains mildly toxic compounds. |
| Name "cotoneaster" originates from Latin words "cotone", used to describe "quince", and "aster", which means "resembling", due to quince-like shape of the leaves. |
| Cotoneaster represents important source of food for the bees when nectar becomes scarce in the wild (period known as June Gap) in Britain. |
| Asian species of cotoneaster introduced to Europe, Australia, New Zealand and California are classified as invasive. They easily occupy new areas, prevent growth of native plant species and facilitate spreading of wildfires. |
| Many species of cotoneaster are cultivated as ornamental garden plants due to dense foliage and decorative berries. |
| Cotoneaster is perennial plant, which means that it can survive more than 2 years in the wild. |
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