hollyberry cotoneaster

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hollyberry cotoneaster

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pyrus bullatus
• Cotoneaster bullatus var. floribundus
• Cotoneaster reticulatus
• Cotoneaster moupinensis
• Cotoneaster moupinensis f. floribundus
• Cotoneaster boisianus
• Cotoneaster bullatus f. floribundus
• Cotoneaster glomerulatus
• Pyrus reticulata
• Pyrus boisiana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Rosales, it is a member of the Rosaceae family. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Cotoneaster.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found distributed across several regions within Northern Europe. Its presence is documented in the country of Denmark, where it occupies specific ecological niches. The species also extends its range into the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Additionally, its geographical reach encompasses the Scandinavian territories of Norway and Sweden. Together, these locations define the northern limits of its natural habitat.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cotoneaster bullatus is characterized by its preference for specific altitudinal zones, primarily occupying lowland habitats within its specialized range. It thrives at high-altitude environments, maintaining a minimum elevation of 2000 m AMSL and reaching a maximum height of 3200 m AMSL. On average, the species is found at a mean elevation of approximately 2566.67 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptation to the unique climatic and environmental conditions found within these montane or sub-alpine belts.

Elevational range max:

3200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2566.66666666667 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2000 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Cotoneaster bullatus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a plant that exhibits diverse growth strategies depending on environmental conditions, it can be classified under different life forms, specifically as a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte. This structural flexibility allows it to maintain visible shoot systems of varying heights. Furthermore, the species is deciduous, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage as part of its natural phenological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cotoneaster bullatus is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a shrub. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of structural habit, it is a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, liana, or vine. The physical stature of the plant is relatively substantial, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 3 m to a maximum of 4 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cotoneaster bullatus is characterized by its specific photosynthetic and morphological adaptations. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its native environment. Morphologically, the foliage exhibits significant variability in dimensions; the leaves typically maintain a mean length of 4.25 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. The width of the leaves follows a similar distribution, with a mean width of 2.4 cm, varying from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. These leaf dimensions reflect the plant's capacity for surface area optimization to facilitate gas exchange and light absorption within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.25 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.4 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cotoneaster bullatus is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and specialized dispersal mechanisms. The flowering period typically commences in May and extends through June. During this stage, the flowers exhibit a length ranging from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops fruits that vary in size; the fruit length ranges from 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm (with a mean length of 0.6 cm), while the fruit width ranges from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm (with a mean width of 0.6 cm). The seeds produced within these fruits are uniform in mass, with a mean, minimum, and maximum weight of 0.032 g. For the propagation of the species, Cotoneaster bullatus utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, specifically employing endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed after being ingested by animals.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower length max:

0.8 cm

Flower length min:

0.6 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.6 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.6 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.032 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cotoneaster bullatus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Proanthocyanidins, polyphenols.

Proanthocyanidins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

polyphenols

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Cotoneaster bullatus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)