Cotoneaster frigidus

What to Eat

Edible parts: Fruit, Leaves - tea

None known

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. It grows in broad-leaved deciduous forests between 2,800-3,300 m above sea level.

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Northeastern India, Sikkim, Tibet,

How to Identify

A shrub or small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows to 10 m tall. The branches are spreading and young branches are angular. The leaves are narrowly oval and 4-8 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The fruit is bright red and narrowly oval. It is 4-5 mm across.

How to Grow

An easily grown plant, it prefers a good soil but also does well in poor soils. It thrives in lime and is also happy in peaty soils. It succeeds in any soil that is not marshy or waterlogged. Succeeds in dry soils. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade but does not fruit so freely in a shady position. Plants also succeed in quite deep shade. Tolerates atmospheric pollution. A fast-growing plant. The flowers, when inhaled near to, have an unpleasant smell like decaying fish. They are very attractive to bees whilst the fruit is a good winter food source for many species of birds. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, especially those species in the 'Salicifolia' group of this genus. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

Propagation: Seed. Members of this genus hybridize freely, so seed should be obtained from a known wild source or controlled fertilization if true breeding is required. Sow seed as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a cold frame; it will usually germinate in spring. Stored seed germinates faster with 3 months warm stratification at 15°C followed by 3 months cold stratification at 4°C. Germination usually occurs within 1–18 months at 15°C but can take 2 years. Pot seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle, and plant out into nursery beds or permanent positions when more than 10cm tall. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel can be taken in July or August in a frame.

Medicinal Uses

The fruits are eaten to replenish the blood in cases of deficiency.

Other Uses

A rose-tan dye is obtained from the fruit. The branches are used in basketry and for making twig bridges in the Himalayas. The plant can be grown as an informal hedge.

Cotoneaster frigidus, the tree cotoneaster, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cotoneaster of the family Rosaceae, native to the Himalayas. It is a deciduous tree or shrub growing to 10–17 metres (33–56 ft), with smooth, matt, alternate leaves 6–12 cm long and 4–5 cm broad. The creamy-white flowers are followed by masses of small, globose, red fruit (pomes) 5 mm diameter in autumn, persisting into winter or later if not eaten by birds. It is widely grown in parks and gardens in temperate regions, and is commonly naturalised as a result of bird-disperded seed in Great Britain and to a lesser extent in Ireland. It is one of the parents of the very popular garden shrub Cotoneaster × watereri; this can be distinguished by its narrower, more lanceolate, slightly more glossy leaves with slightly grooved leaf veins, characters inherited from its other parent Cotoneaster salicifolius. The more compact cultivar 'Cornubia' (syn. C. × watereri 'Cornubia') has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It grows to 6 metres (20 ft).

Production

In western China it flowers in March to May and fruits September to October.

More from Rosaceae

Acaena anserinifolia

Bidgee widgee, Buzzy, New Zealand Bur

No photo

Acaenia anserinifolia - (J.R.Forst.&G.Forst.)Druce.

Pirri-Pirri Bur

Adenostoma sparsifolium

Red shanks, Ribbonwood

Agrimonia eupatoria

Agrimony, Salt and Pepper

Agrimonia odorata

Adour agrimony, Liver-wort

Agrimonia pilosa

Indian chestnut, Agrimony