Bearberry cotoneaster

Basic Information
Tree ID: 
155
Family: 
Rosaceae
Genus and species: 
Cotoneaster dammeric
Description: 
The Cotoneaster dammeric is a species of flowering plant native to central and southern China. This shrub is a vigorous, dense, evergreen shrub with elliptic-oblong leaves. This plant blooms small white flowers in May, followed by red berries. At Yale, the Bearberry shrub is located throughout the Pauli Muarry and Benjamin Franklin walkway. The shrub is low growing and expansive covering much of the peripheral walk-way.
Surveyors: 
Sophia Silwal and Harleen Kaur
Location
Area: 
Prospect and Sachem
Collected Data
Tree shape: 
This is not a tree it a low growing shrub.
Date of tree entry: 
02/13/2023
Height: 
2.42 m
Diameter at breast height: 
3.10 m

The tree is not tall enough to measure DBH, so this is a measure of the base of the tree
Bark
The bark of this shrub is thin and smooth.
Twigs & branches
The branches of this shrub are thin and populated with small leaves.
Foilage
The leaves of this shrub are small, oblong shaped. They are smooth in texture and dark green in color. The foliage turns brown and reddish during the winter and is green during the warmer months. Red berries populate following the blooming of white flowers in May.
Reproductive Structures
The reproductive structures like other angiosperms include seeds contained in the red-berries. These berries are often consumed and dispersed by birds. The small white flowers that bloom prior to berry development are pollinated by bees. These flowers are saucer shaped, with 4 to 5 petals, purple anthers, and are less than an inch in size.
Fruit
The berries are red in color, approximately 1 inch in size. Birds and other animals consume the berries.
Seasons
Research
Natural range of distribution: 
Habitat: 
These plants are native to the Palearctic region, temperate Asia, Europe, North Africa and are especially abundant in the mountains of Southwestern China and the Himalayas. They are found in mountainous regions, cliff sides and open-mixed forests in dry and calcareous soils at elevations between 1300 and 4000 m above sea level.
Origin, history, and uses: 

The cotoneaster is believed to have been first discovered by botanist J.W Griffin. The plant was discovered in East Asia in the 18th century and was introduced to the UK in the 19th century as a garden plant. The Bearberry Cotoneaster is an invasive species due to its ability to propagate rapidly. These plants are popular garden shrubs. They are used for ground coverage, soil stabilization and erosion protection.

Phenology: 
These plants are semi-evergreen. Their leaves turn brown in the winter and green in the spring. Small flowers bloom in May and are followed by berries.
References: 

http://www.fossilplants.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Article_by…

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cotoneaster-dammeri/

https://www.britannica.com/plant/cotoneaster

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/trees-and-shrubs/cotone…

Media and Arts

Shrub Canopy Area: 
7.49sq.m.