Grey cotoneaster
Cotoneaster acutifolius
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 4 m high. The branches are slender and spreading. The plant is hairy. The leaves are narrowly oval or rounded. They are 2-5 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. The base is broadly wedge shaped. They are dull green above and paler underneath. The flowers are pink. They occur as 2-5 together at the ends of the plant on the current year's growth. The fruit is oval and 7-9 mm long and purple-black at maturity.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in northern China. It grows on hillsides between 1,000-3,700 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, China (country/location of origin), Mongolia, Russia
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves - tea, fruit - tea
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Irgai