Common Cotoneaster

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Common Cotoneaster

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ostinia cotoneaster
• Mespilus integerrima
• Gymnopyrenium vulgare
• Pyrus mamajevii
• Cotoneaster integerrimus var. leucocarpus
• Cotoneaster cotoneaster subvar. leucocarpus
• Cotoneaster mamajevii
• Cotoneaster vulgaris var. microphyllus
• Mespilus cotoneaster var. lutea
• Cotoneaster vulgaris
• Pyrus pyrenaica
• Cotoneaster gilgitensis
• Cotoneaster integerrimus var. vulgaris
• Cotoneaster juranus
• Cotoneaster kaganensis
• Cotoneaster obtusisepalus
• Cotoneaster pyrenaicus
• Cotoneaster scandinavicus
• Cotoneaster vulgaris var. borealis
• Cotoneaster vulgaris var. depressus
• Cotoneaster vulgaris var. erythrocarpus
• Cotoneaster vulgaris var. intermedius
• Cotoneaster vulgaris var. leucocarpus
• Cotoneaster vulgaris var. luteus
• Cotoneaster vulgaris var. minutifolius
• Cotoneaster vulgaris var. oxyphyllus
• Cotoneaster suboblongus
• Crataegus cotoneaster
• Mespilus cotoneaster
• Mespilus cotoneaster var. depressa
• Cotoneaster canescens
• Pyrus kaganensis
• Cotoneaster kullensis
• Cotoneaster mathonetii
• Cotoneaster vulgaris var. macrophyllus
• Cotoneaster integerrimus var. pyrenaicus
• Pyrus scandinavica
• Pyrus humilis
• Cotoneaster integerrimus var. erythrocarpus
• Pyrus cotoneaster
• Pyrus obtusisepala
• Cotoneaster integerrimus var. intermedius
• Pyrus kullensis
• Cotoneaster integerrimus subsp. masclansii
• Pyrus gotlandica
• Cotoneaster integerrimus var. masclansii
• Cotoneaster humilis
• Pyrus jurana

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 the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Cotoneaster as the species Cotoneaster integerrimus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several European regions. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Its presence also extends further south into the central part of the continent. Specifically, it is documented to occur within the borders of Austria. Therefore, its habitat spans both Northern and Middle Europe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cotoneaster integerrimus is defined by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude environments, specifically within mountainous regions and stony places. This species occupies a narrow and distinct ecological niche, maintaining a consistent presence at a high elevational range. Its distribution is concentrated at an elevation of approximately 2500 m AMSL, which serves as both its minimum, mean, and maximum elevational threshold. By thriving in these rugged, rocky habitats at such significant altitudes, the plant demonstrates a specialized capacity to withstand the unique climatic and soil conditions characteristic of high-mountain terrain.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Habitat :

mountains, stony places

Life history

The life history of Cotoneaster integerrimus is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its stem structures above the ground level, while its specific classification as a nanophanerophyte indicates that its woody stems are relatively short, typically staying close to the ground. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, meaning it sheds its foliage seasonally in response to environmental cues, a process that allows it to manage resources and survive through dormant periods.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cotoneaster integerrimus is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. As a terrestrial species, it exists as an independent organism, functioning without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, vine, or liana. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variability in height, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 3 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1.575 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

1.575 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cotoneaster integerrimus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate woody shrubs. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the capture of prey. Its foliar morphology plays a critical role in its metabolic efficiency, with leaf dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 2 cm to a maximum length of 5 cm, and an average leaf length of 3.5 cm. The width of the leaves varies between a minimum of 1.3 cm and a maximum of 2.5 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of approximately 3.91407 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 128.47 cm²/g, a physiological trait that reflects its leaf mass per area and its strategy for optimizing light interception and resource allocation within its environment.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf size mean:

3.91407 cm²

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1.3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

128.47 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cotoneaster integerrimus is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects such as bees. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable. This species relies on sexual reproduction, as asexual reproduction is absent and self-fertilization is also noted to be absent, necessitating cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant produces indehiscent fruits classified as drupes. These fruits typically measure a mean length of 0.675 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm) and a mean width of 0.61 cm (ranging from 0.6 cm to 0.7 cm). The seeds contained within these fruits have a mean mass of 0.03474 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.00823 g to a maximum of 0.009883 g. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where the fruits are consumed and dispersed by animals.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

0.7 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.675 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width max:

0.7 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.61 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.009883 g

Seed mass mean:

0.03474 g

Seed mass min:

0.00823 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cotoneaster integerrimus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Chemicals

Cotoneaster integerrimus has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Epicatechin, Flavonoids, polyphenols.

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

polyphenols

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

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

Cardiovascular diseases

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Cotoneaster integerrimus has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include flower extracts, methanol (T-Me; F-Me), twig extracts, water (T-W; F-W).

Flower extracts

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Methanol (t-me; f-me)

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Twig extracts

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Water (t-w; f-w)

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology