Silver leaf cotoneaster

Silver leaf cotoneaster

Cotoneaster pannosus (Rosaceae)

Common Name:

Silver leaf cotoneaster

Scientific Name:

Cotoneaster pannosus (Rosaceae)


Alternative common names:

Silwerdwergmispel dwergmispel (Afrikaans); ukotini (isiZulu).

Description:

Shrub up to 3m high with arching branches and showy, berry-like fruits. The branchlets and lower surfaces of the leaves are densely white- or yellowish and felty in texture. It has dull green hairy leaves. White flowers appear from August to January and it produces dull deep red berries. Invasive in grasslands, forest margins, kloofs, river banks and rocky outcrops

Additional Information


Where does this species come from?

China

What is its invasive status in South Africa?

Existing legislation: CARA 2002 - Category 3 NEMBA - Category 1b

Where in South Africa is it a problem?

Free State

How does it spread?

Birds that feed on the berries spread the plant further afield

Why is it a problem?

It competes with and has the potential to replace indigenous species. Dense stands could reduce grazing available for domestic and wild animals

What does it look like?

General description: Unarmed, gracefully arching woody shrubs up to 3m high.
Leaves: Dull green, glabrous above, lower surfaces of leaves are densely white.
Flowers: Produces white flowers - distinguished from the orange cotoneaster (C. franchetii) by its pure white flowers and more spreading petals. Flowering time is between August-January.
Fruit/Seeds: Dull deep red fleshy pomes, with two nutlets - distinguished from the orange cotoneaster (C. franchetii) by its smaller fruits of a duller, deeper red.

Does the plant have any uses?

It is cultivated for hedging and also as an ornamental

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