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Cotoneaster racemiflorus - (Desf.)Booth. ex Bosse.

Common Name Black-Wood, Cotoneaster
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Shrubby thickets on stony slopes[74]. To elevations of 2400 metres in Kashmir[145].
Range N. Africa to W. and C. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Cotoneaster racemiflorus Black-Wood, Cotoneaster


Cotoneaster racemiflorus Black-Wood, Cotoneaster

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Cotoneaster racemiflorus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.4 m (7ft 10in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is 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: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly 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. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. fontanesii. C. nummularia. Mespilus racemiflora.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Manna
Edible Uses:

Yields a manna-like substance called shir-khist, it is rich in sugars[46, 61, 183]. It contains about 13% sacchrose, 37.5% dextrose[105, 183]. No details of which part of the plant yields the manna, it is most likely to be the stem.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Aperient  Expectorant  Stomachic

The plant is aperient, expectorant and stomachic[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry  Dye  Wood

A rose-tan dye is obtained from the fruit[168]. The wood is used in basket making.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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 -25°c[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. There are several sub-species[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]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is branching: a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out [2-1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed. 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 4°c[164]. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 18 months at 15°c 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]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, preferably with a heel, November in a frame.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cotoneaster acuminatusAcuminate cotoneasterShrub4.0 4-8  LMHSNDM003
Cotoneaster bacillaris Shrub5.0 5-9 FLMHSNDM013
Cotoneaster conspicuusTibetan Cotoneaster, CotoneasterShrub3.0 6-8 MLMHSNDM003
Cotoneaster coriaceus Shrub4.0 5-9 FLMHSNDM003
Cotoneaster divaricatusSpreading CotoneasterShrub2.0 4-8 FLMHSNDM003
Cotoneaster franchetiiOrange cotoneasterShrub3.0 5-9  LMHFSNDM103
Cotoneaster frigidus Shrub10.0 6-9 FLMHFSNDM013
Cotoneaster glaucophyllus Shrub3.0 6-9 MLMHSNDM003
Cotoneaster microphyllus Shrub1.0 4-8 SLMHSNDM213
Cotoneaster serotinus Shrub6.0 6-9 MLMHSNDM003
Cotoneaster simonsiiSimons' cotoneasterShrub3.0 4-8 FLMHSNDM002
Cotoneaster wardii Shrub4.0 5-9  LMHSNDM003
Cotoneaster x watereri Shrub5.0 5-9 MLMHSNDM003

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Desf.)Booth. ex Bosse.

Botanical References

1174200

Links / References

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Subject : Cotoneaster racemiflorus  
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