Cotoneaster lacteus   Late Cotoneaster I

Cotoneaster lacteus

This introduction from China is used as a hedging plant in some parts of the country but has escaped and naturalised itself mostly round the London area.

The late part of the English name refers to the fruits which ripen in very late Autumn. The butterfly taking nectar from the flowers is a Purple hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus).

This plant has escaped in greatest numbers around the south east of England where this one was photographed but is dotted her and there in the rest of England and Wales. There is very little naturalised in Scotland or Ireland.

Barnes cemetery, London 30th June 2006

Added on 11th July 2006, updated 7th December 2008, updated 20th March 2010, updated Se3 4th May 2010, updated 25th June 2021

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