Download Article 120 Cotoneaster revisited - Botanical Society of South Africa

Weeds in our Area (Part One Hundred and Twenty)
By Bob and Ena McIntyre – Garden Route
Cotoneaster sp. (C.franchetii – orange and C. pannosus –
silverleaf cotoneaster)
For this edition we refresh our memories about two familiar garden subjects classified as category
3 invaders.
Cotoneaster sp has its origins in the northern hemisphere. The two species that have become
invasive in our country are both of Chinese origin.
Our subjects are Cotoneaster franchetii
(commonly known as orange cotoneaster Afr.:
Dwergmispel) native to south-western China and
northern Thailand and C. pannosus (silver-leaf
cotoneaster, Afr.: silwerdwergmispel) also native
to China. Cotoneasters belong to the Rosacea
family and are a familiar sight in almost every
garden in our area, thriving in our cooler and
milder climate. The small white flowers are
insignificant, but those arching sprays of brilliantly
hued berries are quite stunning. C. pannosus has
become a troublesome noxious weed in Hawaii.
Those pretty fruits, ingested in quantity are
poisonous and parents and grandparents are advised to bear this in mind where there are young
children playing in the garden. Birds however can eat many things we can’t and the berries are just
as popular with our feathered friends, contributing to the spread of Cotoneaster plants outside
our gardens. An interesting snippet I came across was that during the eighties, the species’
potential for natural hybridization led to confusion among growers as to the true identities of
some species, and C.X cornubius is listed as of “Garden” origin. Add to that the ease of seed
germination and propagation from cuttings and layering and the recipe for invasion is to hand.
Identification: The plants grow into substantial
shrubs with long gracefully arching branches
without thorns. Generally the young branchlets
and undersides of the leaves are densely “felty”.
In time the grey-green foliage of Cotoneaster
franchetii (orange cotoneaster) becomes
glabrous (without hairs) and shiny above, while
the berries are orange-red in colour. C pannosus
(silver-leaf cotoneaster) has dull-green foliage
and its fruits are a dull deep red colour.
Invasive Status: The ease of propagation from
seed and late summer cuttings contribute to the
Cotoneaster’s invasive status. To all intents and purpose they also appear to be disease and pest
resistant. They are quick growers and invade forest margins, kloofs and riverbanks and also
grassland. We have identified and removed adult specimens along Hillside road and seedlings in
our own backyard. Cotoneaster species are potential transformers and its classification as declared
Category 3 invaders permits no trade or new plantings.
Control: No herbicide is registered for the control of Cotoneaster sp. Manual control (handpulling), is the answer. Please be on the look-out for escapees - young plants or seedlings outside
of the garden fence – these are easily hand-pulled. Removing the entire plant is also the best
solution for mature specimens.
Indigenous substitutes:
Salvia africana-lutea (Beach salvia), Salvia africana-caerulea
(Bloublomsalie), Salvia chamelaeaganea (Salie)(blue & white forms), Athanasia parviflora (Coulter
bush), Tecoma capensis (4 colour forms), Leonotis leonorus (three colour forms)
References: “ALIEN WEEDS AND INVASIVE PLANTS”: Lesley Henderson. Copyright © 2001
Agricultural Research Council. Poisonous Plants of South Africa: Ben-Erik van Wyk et al.
Ornamental Shrubs and Trees for gardens in Southern Africa: Una van der Spuy, The A-Z of
Gardening in SA: W.G. Sheat, Flowering shrubs and Trees for SA Gardens: Sima Eliovson,
Wikipedia.