Fauna
Plant

Shiny Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster lucidus

Also known as Hedge Cotoneaster

Shiny cotoneaster produces lustrous, deep green foliage that blazes into brilliant shades of orange, red, and purple each autumn. Clusters of delicate, pink-tinged blossoms emerge in late spring to provide nectar for bees and pollinating flies. Dense branch structures and persistent black pomes offer essential winter shelter and foraging for cold-climate songbirds.

DeciduousCold-HardyShrub
Shiny Cotoneaster reference1 / 7
(c) Katrin Simon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Bohemian Waxwing
  • Cedar Waxwing
  • European Rabbit
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, displacement by invasive species
HabitatsRocky slopes, river valleys, shrublands, open woodlands
Life span30–50 years
Classification
  1. OrderRosales
  2. FamilyRosaceae
  3. GenusCotoneaster
  4. SpeciesCotoneaster lucidus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides; wild berries have toxic look-alikes, so never ingest based on app identification.
Why it is dangerous
Seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which break down into hydrogen cyanide upon mastication, leading to nausea, vomiting, and respiratory distress.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for upright spreading branches with glossy elliptic leaves and clusters of round, black, berry-like pomes in autumn.
What to do
Pruning or touching foliage is safe, but keep fruit out of reach of children and household pets.
Responsible observation
  • Hedging: Prune lightly in late winter or early spring before fresh leaf buds break.
  • Cultivation: Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil for optimal foliage luster.
Related species
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