Cotoneaster sp.
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Cotoneaster sp. is a non-native California shrub in the Rosaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Pyracantha: Pyracantha has thorns; Cotoneaster is thornless with smooth stems.; vs Heteromeles: Heteromeles has sharp-toothed leaf edges; Cotoneaster has completely smooth leaf margins.; vs Frangula: Frangula has prominent parallel leaf veins curving toward the tip; Cotoneaster has typical pinnate venation.; vs Rhamnus: Rhamnus has finely toothed leaves; Cotoneaster has completely smooth leaf edges.; vs Ceanothus: Ceanothus has three main veins from the leaf base; Cotoneaster has standard single-midrib venation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cotoneaster sp. native to California?
No. Cotoneaster sp. is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Cotoneaster sp. belong to?
Cotoneaster sp. is in the Rosaceae family, genus Cotoneaster.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Cotoneaster franchetii — Franchet's cotoneaster
- Cotoneaster frigidus — Tree cotoneaster
- Cotoneaster hodjingensis — Earthquake cotoneaster
- Cotoneaster horizontalis — Wall or herringbone cotoneaster
- Cotoneaster integrifolius — Entire-leaved cotoneaster
- Cotoneaster lacteus — Late cotoneaster
- Crataegus castlegarensis — Castlegar hawthorne
- Crataegus douglasii — Black hawthorn
- Crataegus gaylussacia — Klamath hawthorn
- Crataegus monogyna — Hawthorn
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.