Cotoneaster microphyllus Small-leaved Cotoneaster

A dense, evergreen, mound-forming shrub, native to India and the Himalaya, which has small, broadly oval, leaves that are usually less than 1cm long with adpressed (strigose) hairs and short stalks. The inflorescence usually has more than one flower (frequently 2) each flower about 1cm in diameter. It is often difficult to separate from Entire-leaved Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster integrifolius) which has larger leaves and one flower per inflorescence and they are sometimes regarded as part of the same species complex. We have been cautious in our interpretation and recording of Cotoneaster microphyllus in West Glamorgan, but a single, self-seeded mature bush which conforms with the description given by Fryer and Hylmo (2009) grows on colliery spoil at Melin Mynach, Gorseinon. It is a tetraploid, apomictic species.

Neophyte