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Cotoneaster microphyllus - Wall. ex Lindl.

Common Name
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Trailing on rocks or spreading on grassy hillsides, 1200 - 5400 metres[158]. Rocky slopes, rocky mountain areas, thickets and river valleysat elevations of 2000 - 4200 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Cotoneaster microphyllus


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Selso
Cotoneaster microphyllus
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Selso

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Cotoneaster microphyllus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 2 m (6ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, 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. 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

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw[272]. It is sweet when fully ripe[158]. A watery flavour[272]. It is possibly edible[177]. The fruit is about 7mm in diameter[200].

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.
Astringent

The stolons are said to be astringent[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry  Dye  Incense  Soil stabilization  Wood

A rose-tan dye is obtained from the fruit. The leaves are used for incense[272]. The plant has an extensive root system and a creeping habit above ground. It makes a good soil binder[272]. The sub-species C. microphyllus cochleatus can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[188, 208]. It forms a dense carpet of growth[208]. The branches are used for making baskets[146, 158, 272]. Wood - hard, close and even grained[146, 158]. Used for fuel[272].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Ground cover  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[184, 200]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are some named forms[202]. Most forms are quite slow-growing[200, 202]. It hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200] and often self-sows in British gardens[219]. A low-growing plant, the branches often root when they come into contact with the soil[219]. 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]. Plants 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

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng) TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India (Himalayan region), Nepal, Myanmar

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 racemiflorusBlack-Wood, CotoneasterShrub2.4 3-7 MLMHSNDM212
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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Wall. ex Lindl.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

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