Cotoneaster integrifolius
It is included in the group of Small-leaved Cotoneasters
(Cotoneaster mycrophyllus agg.) in the New Atlas of the
British and Irish Flora
Entire-leaved Cotoneaster
Rosaceae
May to June
It is found mainly in the Southwest and the Northwest. It is
thinly scattered elsewhere and is uncommon in the East.
See the BSBI distribution map for Rock Cotoneaster
It is a neophyte which was introduced in the 1820s and
first recognised as a naturalised escape in the 1890s.
It grows in rocky grassland where it covers large areas
of quarries, cliffs, scree and railway banks. It also grows
in gardens, by roads and on walls and pavements.
It is regarded as a nuisance plant on the Isle of Portland,
Dorset, and a programme of eradication by spraying has
been carried out by the Dorset Wildlife Trust, with the aim
of encouraging native grasses and insects.
Rock Cotoneaster is an evergreen, woody, low growing,
carpet-forming and hummock-forming shrub, growing
up to 1m.
The flowers are white and up to 12mm across.
The petals are spreading with 20 purple-black anthers,
2 ovules and 2 stigmas.
Leaves are small (7 to 15mm) and without points.
The berries are quite big (up to 1cm across) and bright red.
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Rock Cotoneaster, quarry, Isle of Portland, Dorset
20 stamens and 2 stigmas per flower
Berries
Close-up of berry and small un-pointed leaves
Rock Cotoneaster covering hillside in April
Patch after herbicide treatment in May
Sprayed leaves
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