Cotoneaster

Latin plant name Cotoneaster Common plant name Cotoneaster Plant type Semievergreen woody shrub Size (meters) < 5 m Distinguishing features The leaves are arranged alternately, 0.5–15 centimetres (0.20–5.9 in) long, ovate to lanceolate, entire; both evergreen and deciduous species occur. The flower is either fully open or has its five petals half open 5–10 millimetres (0.20–0.39 in) diameter. They may be any shade from white through creamy white to light pink to dark pink to almost red, The fruit is a small pome 5–12 millimetres diameter, pink or bright red, orange or even maroon or black when mature, containing one to three seeds. Fruit on some species stays on until the following year. The flowers attract bees and butterflies and the fruits are eaten by birds. They are used as a valuable source of nectar when often the bees have little other forage in the June Gap. The red berries are also highly attractive to blackbirds and other thrushes.