Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster, a genus of Rosaceæ, sub-order Pomeæ, closely allied to the hawthorn and medlar. The species are shrubs or small trees, some evergreen; with simple entire leaves, more or less woolly beneath; small flowers in lateral cymes; and small, unpalatable, but bright-coloured fruit, persistent in winter. C. vulgaris (said to be found wild in a single locality in Wales) and other species are common mountain plants of central Europe and Asia, but have been largely introduced as ornamental shrubs, the evergreen species (C. rotundifolia, &c.) being especially used for covering walls and rockwork.