Cotoneaster atropurpureus, the purple-flowered cotoneaster,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cotoneaster of the family Rosaceae, native to the Hubei province of China. It is a prostrate, deciduous shrub growing to 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) wide. It can be used as groundcover or trained to ascend up a wall or other support. Its fan-shaped, arching branches bear small, rounded, glossy green leaves turning purple in autumn. Red/black flowers are followed by small, globose, scarlet fruits (pomes).[2][3]
| Cotoneaster atropurpureus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Cotoneaster atropurpureus, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Cotoneaster |
| Species: | C. atropurpureus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cotoneaster atropurpureus Flinck & B.Hylmö
| |
The cultivar 'Variegatus' (syn. C. horizontalis 'Variegatus'), with leaves margined in cream, turning red in autumn, is often seen in cultivation. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]
References
edit- ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
- ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ^ "Cotoneaster atropurpureus (Variegatus)". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
- ^ "Cotoneaster atropurpureus 'Variegatus'". RHS. Retrieved 5 May 2020.