Practical
Plants

Cotoneaster microphyllus

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Cotoneaster genus in the family Rosaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
1 m
Spread
2 m
Fertility
Flies, Midges
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies, Midges

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw[16]. It is sweet when fully ripe[4]. A watery flavour[16]. It is possibly edible[6]. The fruit is about 7mm in diameter[9].

Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The stolons are said to be astringent[13].

Product or use
Astringent

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A rose-tan dye is obtained from the fruit. The leaves are used for incense[16]. The plant has an extensive root system and a creeping habit above ground. It makes a good soil binder[16]. The sub-species C. microphyllus cochleatus can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[8][11]. It forms a dense carpet of growth[11]. The branches are used for making baskets[3][4][16]. Wood - hard, close and even grained[3][4]. Used for fuel[16].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Wood
Product or use
Incense

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Earth stabiliser

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat
Trailing on rocks or spreading on grassy hillsides, 1200 - 5400 metres[4]. Rocky slopes, rocky mountain areas, thickets and river valleysat elevations of 2000 - 4200 metres[15].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[2][9]. Stored seed germinates faster if given 3 months warm stratification at 15°c and then 3 months cold stratification at 4°c[5]. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 18 months at 15°c but it can take 2 years[5]. 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[2][9].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it prefers a good soil but also does well in poor soils[1][2][9]. It thrives in lime and is also happy in peaty soils[1]. It succeeds in any soil that is not marshy or waterlogged[2][9]. Succeeds in dry soils[8]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade but does not fruit so freely in a shady position[2][9]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[9]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[7][9]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are some named forms[10]. Most forms are quite slow-growing[9][10]. It hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[9] and often self-sows in British gardens[12]. A low-growing plant, the branches often root when they come into contact with the soil[12]. The flowers, when inhaled near to, have an unpleasant smell like decaying fish[14]. They are very attractive to bees whilst the fruit is a good winter food source for many species of birds[9]. Plants are notably susceptible to honey fungus[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  8. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

  10. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2

  11. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  12. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

  13. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  14. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  15. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  16. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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