This genus in the huge Rose or Apple Family of Rosaceae is of mostly deciduous and some evergreen species of shrubs from Eurasia, with most species in East Asia. The long scientific name comes from Latin of "cotoneum" for quince and "aster" where some species have leaves resembling asters. They bear small, white clusters of tiny apple-like flowers that bear red or black fruit. The small leaves are simple and alternate. Cotoneasters are very similar to Photinia, Aronia, and Amelanchier. In landscaping in the USA and Canada, several species are used as low, spreading shrubs like high groundcovers that bear the pretty red pomes (fruit). There also are three species or three varieties of one species of tall shrubs that bear black fruit that are used as screens or sheared hedges in landscaping.

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