Cotoneaster nummularius

Fisch. & Mey.

Kiz elmasi, Cornwort cotoneaster

RosaceaeFruitPotential hazards — see below

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(c) Arya Aras, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Arya Aras

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(c) Marios Thoma, some rights reserved (CC BY)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Fruit

Cotoneaster nummularius is cultivated as an ornamental shrub, widely grown in landscape architecture due to diversity of their forms, glossy green leaves, abundant flowers, and attractive pomes. Cotoneaster nummularius has a history of traditional medicinal use, particularly in Asian medicine. Modern research has also investigated its phytochemical composition and various biological activities, often in the context of the broader Cotoneaster genus.

Known Hazards

The presence of cyanogenic glycosides, such as prunasin and amygdalin, is noted in the genus Cotoneaster, which can lead to the release of hydrogen cyanide upon enzymatic degradation. The content of these compounds varies among species and plant parts. In vitro studies on C. nummularius twigs showed no cytotoxic effect against the Madin-Darby canine kidney cell line at tested concentrations, indicating a lack of significant toxicity to healthy cells. While some Cotoneaster species show moderate cytotoxic activity against various tumor cell lines in vitro, these findings are not considered to have pharmacological relevance for anti-tumor treatment without further in vivo studies.

Where to Find It

It is a Mediterranean climate plant.

Asia, Central Asia, Europe, Mediterranean, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye,

Countries: Andorra, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, Belarus, Switzerland, China, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Algeria, Estonia, Egypt, Spain, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Georgia, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Iceland, Italy, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Libya, Morocco, Monaco, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Malta, Maldives, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Serbia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, San Marino, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Taiwan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A shrub.

Medicinal Uses

Modern pharmacological investigations have explored the biological activities of Cotoneaster species, demonstrating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and anti-jaundice properties. Extracts from various Cotoneaster species, including C. nummularius, have shown significant antioxidant effects in vitro, often attributed to their polyphenol content (flavonoids, procyanidins, and caffeoylquinic acids). Several Cotoneaster species exhibit anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting enzymes like lipoxygenase (LOX) and hyaluronidase (HYAL). The methanolic extract of C. nummularius fruit twigs has shown moderate anti-malarial activity in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Leaf extracts of C. nummularius have been evaluated for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, enzymes relevant to Alzheimer's disease treatment. Cotoneaster manna, including that from C. nummularius, has been traditionally used and researched for its anti-jaundice activity, particularly in neonates. It is believed to regulate bile excretion and reduce serum bilirubin levels, with mannitol potentially being the main active compound.

Wikipedia

Source ↗

Cotoneaster nummularius, the nummular or coinwort cotoneaster, is a deciduous shrub in the rose family. It is native to a wide geographical range spanning from Morocco and Greece eastward through the Middle East, Central Asia, and into parts of China and India. It typically grows at altitudes between 800 and 2,400 meters in semi-arid montane climates, forming dense, rounded thickets. Characterized by its small, alternate leaves with dark green upper surfaces and densely grey undersides, C. nummularius produces white to pinkish-white hermaphroditic flowers from April to June. These are followed by round or oval pomes that ripen from red to bluish-black or black-violet between August and October. The fruits contain cyanogenic glycosides, which contribute to their toxicity and aid in seed dispersal by birds. Beyond its ornamental value in landscaping, C. nummularius has a history of traditional medicinal use in various Asian cultures, where its fruits and other parts have been employed as an appetite stimulant, expectorant, and for treating conditions like malarial fever and rheumatic ailments. Modern pharmacological investigations have identified a complex phytochemical composition, including flavonoids and procyanidins, and have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and anti-jaundice properties.

Names & Synonyms

Dagmusmulasi, Kharawa, Masloor, Sherawa, Udhundor

References (9)

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