Orange-drop cotoneaster

Cotoneaster zabelii C. K. Schneider var. miniatus Rehder & E. H. Wilson in C. S. Sargent, Pl. Wilson. 3: 430. 1917 (as miniata)

Shrubs, 1–1.5(–2) m. Stems erect, spreading, arching, ˂slender, weak˃; branches distichous, divaricate, light brown, initially tomentose-pilose. Leaves deciduous; petiole 3–5 mm, densely pilose; blade elliptic to narrowly ovate, (24–)30–50(–68) x 12–25(–32) mm, chartaceous, base cuneate or obtuse, margins flat, not revolute, veins 3–5, slightly sunken, apex acute or obtuse, abaxial surfaces pale, ˂reticulate˃, pilose, adaxial yellowish green, dull, not glaucous, flat between lateral veins, pilose; ˂fall leaves intensely yellow˃. Inflorescences on fertile shoots 20–45 mm with 4 leaves, 8–18-flowered, lax. Pedicels ˂slender˃, 5–10 mm, pilose. Flowers ˂spreading˃, 4–5.5 mm, open; hypanthium cupulate, villose-pilose; sepals: margins villous, apex obtuse, surfaces villous; petals erect, pink, base pink to dark pink or red-tinged; stamens 19–23, filaments white or pale pink, anthers white; styles 2(or 3). Pomes ˂pendent˃, bright orange-red, broadly ellipsoid, broadly obovoid, or globose, rarely depressed-globose, (4–)6–9.3(–11) x 6–9.7 mm, slightly shiny, not glaucous, sparsely villous; sepals flat, villous; forming star over slightly open navel; style remnants 3/4 from base. Pyrenes 2(or 3).

Flowering May–Jul; fruiting Sep–Nov. Thickets; 0–100 m; introduced; Wash.; Asia (China).