Taxonomy
Cotoneaster horizontalis | Wall Cotoneaster | CainchÃn balla
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
First reported in the wild
1960s
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of Medium Impact
Irish status
Established
Introduction pathways - 1
Escape from Confinement
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Ornamental purpose
Invasive score
14
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
No
Species Biology
Identification
Deciduous, low growing shrubs, typically with characteristic bright orange-red fruit and pink flowers (Booy et al.,2015). A number of Cotoneaster spp are present in Ireland and are difficult to distinguish without looking at leaves, fruit and flowers, though C. horizontalis is one of the only species in which the underside of the leaf is relatively hairless(Booy et al.,2015).
Ecology
When occurring on grassland habitats Cotoneaster horizontalis decreases species richness and diversity, as well as affecting grassland specialist species (Piqueray, 2008). Not much information is available on the impacts of Cotoneaster horizontalis, likely due to the difficulty in distinguishing the various Cotoneaster spp and possibly due to it being under recorded in Ireland.
Habitat
Constructed, industrial or other artificial habitats; Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats
Reproduction
Seeds are highly attractive to and dispersed by blackbirds and other thrushes (Crofts & Jefferson, 1999).
Pathway and vector description
Popular as a hedging plant it has been present in Ireland since the 1960s but recent increase in distribution and abundance may be due to recording effort (Reynolds, 2002). Spread within Ireland is likely to be human mediated (i.e. deliberate movement of the plant to areas) and through birds transporting seeds.
Mechanism of impact
Competition
Broad environment
Terrestrial
Habitat description
Typically found in urban environments due to their use as a hedging plant, potential to spread widely in limestone regions like the Burren (Booy et al.,2015). Also occurs in calcareous grasslands (Crofts &Jefferson, 1999).
Species group
Plant
Native region
Temperate Asia
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Established - Widespread, "fairly common garden escape" (Reynolds, 2002), possibly under recorded. Distribution indicated likely an artefact of recording effort.
Native distribution
Native to China (Preston et al., 2002).
Temporal change
Date of first record category
1961-1970
Fifty year date category
1951-2000
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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How can you help
Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
References
Publications
Reynolds, S.C.P. (2002) A catalogue of alien plants in Ireland. National Botanic Gardens. Glasnevin, Dublin. Stace, C. (1997). New Flora of the British Isles 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Booy, O., Wade, M. & Roy, H. (2015) A Field Guide to Invasive Plants & Animals in Britain. Bloomsbury. Crofts, A. & Jefferson, R.G. (1999). The lowland grassland management handbook. Peterborough: English Nature. Preston, C.D., Pearman, D. A. & Dines, T. D. 2002. New atlas of the British and Irish flora. An atlas of the vascular plants of Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, Oxford University Press