Cotoneaster melanocarpus

Shrubs, 2–2.5 m. Stems loosely erect; branches spiraled, yellow brown to red brown, lenticellate, shiny, initially densely pilose. Leaves deciduous; petiole 4–7 mm, tomentose-villous; blade elliptic to ovate, 33–45 × 20–32 mm, chartaceous, base rounded, margins flat, veins 5–7, superficial, apex acute or obtuse, abaxial surfaces densely silvery-pilose-villous, adaxial green to dark green, dull to slightly shiny, not glaucous, flat between lateral veins, rugose, sparsely pilose; fall leaves lacking notable color. Inflorescences on fertile shoots 25–30 mm with 3 or 4 leaves, 5–13-flowered, pendent, lax. Pedicels 3–8 mm, sometimes sparsely villous. Flowers erect, 6–7 mm, open; hypanthium cupulate, dark reddish brown, glabrous; sepals: margins erose, apex acute or obtuse, surfaces glabrous, often apically villous; petals erect, greenish white with pink, red, base slightly darkened, margins white, glabrous; stamens 20(–22), filaments white, anthers white; styles 2–4. Pomes purple-black, obovoid or globose, 7–9 × 7–9 mm, dull, glaucous with blue tinge, glabrous; sepals suberect, glabrous or apically villous; navel open; style remnants 2/3 from base. Pyrenes 2–4. 2n = 48–52, 68 (Russia).

Phenology: Flowering Apr–May; fruiting Jul–Aug.
Habitat: Forested ravines
Elevation: 300–500 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Man., Eurasia (Russia, Ukraine).

Discussion

Cotoneaster melanocarpus is said to hybridize spontaneously with Sorbus aucuparia in Siberia, forming x\Sorbocotoneaster Pojarkova. The actual Cotoneaster parent is more likely to be a diploid and needs investigation.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.