Wild cottoneaster (Cottoneaster cambricus)
Facts
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Anthophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Cottoneaster (1) |
| Size |
Leaf length: 1.5 - 4 cm (2) Height: 15-100 cm (2) Fruit length: 7 - 11 mm (3) |
Status
Classified as Endangered in Britain and protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (4).
Description
Wild cottoneaster is a member of the rose family. It is a bushy deciduous shrub that grows to a height of 100 cm. In young shrubs, the stems are woolly, but they become smooth in older specimens. The leaves are green and matt on the upper surface but grey and woolly underneath. The small flowers have pink petals, and the berry-like fruits are red (2). Until quite recently it was thought to be a native endemic species, but its taxonomic status is currently in doubt. It is now believed that it may actually be the same species as the widespread C. integerrimus, and therefore an introduced plant (5).
Range
Just a few plants are found on Great Ormes’ Head in Caernarvon, north Wales. It has always been rare at this site, and in 1978 the population reached a low of just 6 plants. As a result of introducing cultivated plants this number was increased to around 33 plants (4).
Habitat
Found on limestone rocks and ledges (5).
Biology
This deciduous shrub does not seem to regenerate by seed or by vegetative reproduction at the site in Wales (5). The flowers are visited by a range of insects, including wasps (2).
Threats
Further Information
The UK BAP Species Action Plan for wild cottoneaster is available on-line at:
http://www.ukbap.org.uk
Authentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk
Deciduous: a plant that sheds its leaves at the end of the growing season.
Endemic: a species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
Vegetative reproduction: type of asexual reproduction (reproduction without recombination of genetic material) that results in the propagation of plants using only the vegetative tissues such as leaves or stems. The resulting plant is genetically identical to the original plant. A well-known example of this is the reproduction of strawberry plants from ‘runners’.
References
- National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (September 2003):
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn - Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. & Moore, D.M. (1987) Flora of the British Isles: 3rd Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Stace, C. (1991) The New Flora of the British Isles Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- UK BAP Species Action Plan (October 2003):
http://www.ukbap.org.uk - Preston, C.D., Pearman, D.A. & Dines, T.D. (2002) New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
