Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 29, 2026

Cotoneaster microphyllus

Cotoneaster microphyllus, the small-leaved cotoneaster or rockspray cotoneaster, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It is native to the Indian Subcontinent, Tibet, Sichuan, and Yunnan in China, and Myanmar, and it has been introduced to various locales in Europe, Australia, and the United States. A rabbit-tolerant shrub reaching 1 m (3 ft) tall but spreading to 2.5 m (8 ft), and hardy in USDA zones 5 through 7, it is recommended for rockeries and hedges. Care should be taken not to plant it where it can become invasive.

Last revised
May 29, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
285 w
Citations
7
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Cotoneaster microphyllus
Flowers and leaves
In fruit
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Cotoneaster
Species:
C. microphyllus
Binomial name
Cotoneaster microphyllus
Synonyms1
List
    • Cotoneaster astrophoros J.Fryer & E.C.Nelson
    • Cotoneaster buxifolius var. melanotrichus Franch.
    • Cotoneaster cashmiriensis G.Klotz
    • Cotoneaster elatus G.Klotz
    • Cotoneaster glacialis (Hook.f. ex Wenz.) Panigrahi & Arv.Kumar
    • Cotoneaster melanotrichus (Franch.) G.Klotz
    • Cotoneaster microphyllus var. glacialis Hook.f. ex Wenz.
    • Cotoneaster nivalis (G.Klotz) Panigrahi & Arv.Kumar
    • Cotoneaster procumbens G.Klotz
    • Pyrus astrophora (J.Fryer & E.C.Nelson) M.F.Fay & Christenh.
    • Pyrus cashmiriensis (G.Klotz) M.F.Fay & Christenh.
    • Pyrus elata (G.Klotz) M.F.Fay & Christenh.
    • Pyrus glacialis (Hook.f. ex Wenz.) M.F.Fay & Christenh.
    • Pyrus melanotricha (Franch.) M.F.Fay & Christenh.
    • Pyrus microphylla (Wall. ex Lindl.) M.F.Fay & Christenh.
    • Pyrus procumbens (G.Klotz) M.F.Fay & Christenh.

Cotoneaster microphyllus, the small-leaved cotoneaster or rockspray cotoneaster, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae.234 It is native to the Indian Subcontinent, Tibet, Sichuan, and Yunnan in China, and Myanmar, and it has been introduced to various locales in Europe, Australia, and the United States.1 A rabbit-tolerant shrub reaching 1 m (3 ft) tall but spreading to 2.5 m (8 ft), and hardy in USDA zones 5 through 7, it is recommended for rockeries and hedges.3 Care should be taken not to plant it where it can become invasive.3

References

References

  1. "Cotoneaster microphyllus Wall. ex Lindl". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  2. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. "Cotoneaster microphyllus Wall. ex Lindl". gbif.org. GBIF Secretariat. Retrieved 7 May 2022. Small-leaf cotoneaster
  3. "Cotoneaster microphyllus". Plant Finder. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 7 May 2022. ...commonly called littleleaf cotoneaster...
  4. "Rockspray Cotoneaster". Flowers of India. 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.