Cotoneaster (family Rosaceae) A genus of trees and low shrubs which resemble Crataegus but are not thorny. Members of the genus have entire leaves and carpels that are free from each other on the inner sides, with stony walls. The fruit has a mealy, fleshy case formed from the receptacle cup. Several species are grown in gardens. There are about 50 species, with a palaearctic and temperate distribution.

cotoneaster Genus of c.50 species of deciduous shrubs of the rose family (Rosaceae), mostly native to China. They have small white flowers and small, red or black, round berry-like fruit, and are often cultivated as ornamental plants.

cotoneaster genus of rosaceous trees. XVIII. f. L. cotōneum QUINCE; see -ASTER.