Cotoneaster pannosus

Cotoneaster_pannosus_silverleaf cotoneaster_JM DiTomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: C. pannosus Franch.

Common names: silverleaf Cotoneaster; velvet Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster pannosus (silverleaf Cotoneaster) is an evergreen shrub (family Rosaceae) found along the central and north coast of California, as well as in the northern South Coast Ranges and the Transverse Ranges. Silverleaf Cotoneaster has small, leathery, ovate leaves with hairy white undersides, white flowers arranged in clusters, and red fruits. It was introduced from China as an ornamental plant, and has escaped cultivation. It is found in disturbed places, especially near residential sites, as well as undisturbed coastal scrub, grassland and forests. Each plant can produce thousands of fruits every year, which are distributed by birds, small mammals, water movement and human activities. Mechanical removal of the shrubs can provide good control, but follow-up is needed, as the plants may resprout from the roots.

Cal-IPC Rating: Moderate?

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Species ID Card

Invasive Species ID Card - To support field identification of early detection species, Cal-IPC has designed a set of Species ID cards that can be downloaded, printed double-sided, and trimmed to size.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Cotoneaster pannosus Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • Additional photos

    Cotoneaster_pannosus_fruiting_JM DiTomaso
    Cotoneaster pannosus (silverleaf Cotoneaster) fruiting. Photo: JM DiTomaso