Peking cotoneaster (Cotoneaster acutifolius, Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 5: 190 (1832))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: Turcz.

Bibliography: Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 5: 190 (1832)

Year: 1832

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cotoneaster

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: S. Siberia to China

Description

The Peking cotoneaster, scientifically referred to as Cotoneaster acutifolius, is a notable plant species belonging to the family Rosaceae. This widespread plant has its roots extending from Southern Siberia across to China, showcasing its adaptability to varying climatic conditions within this broad geographic range.

Cotoneaster acutifolius is appreciated for its robust properties and aesthetic appeal, making it a popular choice for ornamental use in gardens and landscapes. Characterized by its dense branching and glossy green leaves, the Peking cotoneaster presents an orderly and attractive appearance throughout the growing season. The foliage often turns a stunning shade of reddish-purple in the fall, adding seasonal interest to gardens and public spaces.

The plant is also renowned for its small, white to pinkish flowers that bloom in late spring. These blossoms eventually give way to an abundance of small, black fruits that persist into the winter, providing both a decorative quality and a food source for wildlife. Moreover, the hardy nature of Cotoneaster acutifolius enables it to withstand urban pollution and a variety of soil types, further contributing to its versatility and ease of maintenance.

Documented officially in 1832 by Turcz. in the Bulletin de la Société Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou, the Peking cotoneaster has been studied and cultivated for nearly two centuries. Its resilience and ornamental charm continue to make it a favored plant among gardeners and landscapers, enhancing both private and public spaces with its year-round beauty and ecological benefits.

Common Names

Deu: glanz-zwergmispel, peking-zwergmispel, spitzblättrige zwergmispel
Eng: peking cotoneaster, shiny cotoneaster
Nno: pekingmispel
Nob: pekingmispel
En: Peking cotoneaster, Shiny cotoneaster, European Cotoneaster
Az: İtiucluyarpaq dovşanalması
Be: Кізільнік вастралісты
Ca: Cornera vulgar
Zh: Hui xun zi, 灰栒子
Cs: Skalník lesklý
Nl: Wilde Dwergmispel
Fi: Suippolehtituhkapensas
Fr: Cotonéaster à feuilles entières, Cotonéaster commun, Cotonéaster sauvage, Amélanchier velu, Cotonéastre, Cotonnier à feuilles entières, Néflier cotonneux, Néflier de Gesner, Cotonéaster à feuilles très entières, Cotonéaster vulgaire
De: Peking-Zwergmispel, Glänzende Zwergmispel, Hecken-Strauchmispel, Spitzblättrige Strauchmispel, Glanz-Zwergmispel, Spitzblättrige Zwergmispel, Bergmispel, Gemeine Zwergmispel, Gewöhnliche Steinmispel, Gewöhnliche Zwergmispel
It: Cotognastro a foglie intere, Cotognastro minore
Nb: Pekingmispel
Nn: Pekingmispel
Pl: Irga ostrolistna
Ru: Кизильник остролистый

Synonyms

• Cotoneaster hurusawaianus (G.Klotz)
• Pyrus otto-schwartzii ((G.Klotz) M.F.Fay & Christenh.)
• Cotoneaster otto-schwarzii (G.Klotz)
• Cotoneaster acutifolius var. typicus (Zabel)
• Pyrus hurusawaiana ((G.Klotz) M.F.Fay & Christenh.)
• Pyrus lucida ((Schltdl.) M.F.Fay & Christenh.)
• Cotoneaster acutifolius sinensis (Koehne)
• Cotoneaster sinensis (Rehder)
• Cotoneaster acutifolius f. glabricalyx (Hurus.)
• Cotoneaster acutifolius f. glabriusculus (Hurus.)
• Cotoneaster pekinensis ((Koehne) Zabel)
• Pyrus acutifolia ((Turcz.) M.F.Fay & Christenh.)
• Cotoneaster acutifolius var. lucidus ((Schltdl.) L.T.Lu)
• Cotoneaster lucidus (Schltdl.)
• Pyrus beijingensis (M.F.Fay & Christenh.)
• Cotoneaster niger var. acutifolius ((Turcz.) Wenz.)
• Cotoneaster acutifolius f. pekinensis (Koehne)

Distribution

• Buryatiya (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2020 by James Stevens (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2022 by Lauren Sullivan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 4, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2022 by Goulidan Finch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3025770)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:722393-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cotoneaster acutifolius Turcz.)

Specifications

Growth