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Common Name: Black-Wood

General Information

Cotoneaster racemiflorus is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 2.40 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

N. Africa to W. and C. Asia.

Habitat

Shrubby thickets on stony slopes[]. To elevations of 2400 metres in Kashmir[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.40 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Flies, midges
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, it prefers a good soil but also does well in poor soils[, , ]. It thrives in lime and is also happy in peaty soils[]. It succeeds in any soil that is not marshy or waterlogged[, ]. Succeeds in dry soils[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade but does not fruit so freely in a shady position[, ]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[].
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[]. There are several sub-species[].
The flowers, when inhaled near to, have an unpleasant smell like decaying fish[]. They are very attractive to bees whilst the fruit is a good winter food source for many species of birds[].
Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Yields a manna-like substance called shir-khist, it is rich in sugars[, , ]. It contains about 13% sacchrose, 37.5% dextrose[, ]. No details of which part of the plant yields the manna, it is most likely to be the stem.

Medicinal

The plant is aperient, expectorant and stomachic[].

Other Uses

A rose-tan dye is obtained from the fruit[].
The wood is used in basket making.

Propagation

Seed. Members of this genus hybridize freely so, if you require seed that breeds true, it is important to obtain it from a known wild source or from a controlled fertilization of garden plants. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, when it will usually germinate in the spring[, ]. Stored seed germinates faster if given 3 months warm stratification at 15°c and then 3 months cold stratification at 4°c[]. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 18 months at 15°c but it can take 2 years[]. Pot the seedlings up as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into nursery beds or into their permanent positions when they are more than 10cm tall.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, mid summer in a frame[, ].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, preferably with a heel, late autumn in a frame.