Invasive species are controlled by the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), and both Cotoneaster and Pyracantha have been classified as Category 1b: Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed. Any form of trade or planting is strictly prohibited.

These plants have invaded southern African grasslands, cliff-lines, and watercourses, and because these woody species often form complex Rosaceae thickets, and are large compared to our native grasses they transform the vegetation structure by providing too much shade, posing a serious threat to high elevation grassland ecosystems. Rosaceae species are particularly easy to identify in temperate and montane grasslands in autumn and winter, due to their fruits being highly visible against a brown winter landscape.

The high elevation grasslands of South Africa are key biodiversity hotspots with high plant endemism, and need to be protected. The grassland biome is also extremely valuable to the economy as it provides half of the country’s water run-off.

Pyracantha and Cotoneaster are related and look very similar, except that Pyracantha has serrated leaves and numerous thorns, while Cotoneaster is thorn-less, with smooth leaf margins.

Cotoneaster (Rosaceae)                                                                                     

Many different species of Cotoneaster became popular garden ornamentals in South African for their attractive clusters of red berries, and were especially popular as hedging plants. However, in recent years, five have been declared as invasive aliens. These trees originated from Asia and are spread by birds feeding on the berries. Cape White-eyes have a predilection for the berries, and Black-eyed Bulbuls, Black-headed Orioles, Red-winged Starlings, Speckled Mousebirds and Olive Thrushes feast on them too.

Unless removed, they can form dense stands which shade out indigenous plants. They reduce available grazing land, and when eaten in quantity, the berries are toxic to animals. This plant is a particular problem in the Western Cape, and it’s hard to get rid of it once you have it. Even if you remove the shrubs, seedlings continue to pop up all over the garden, and if these are not removed, before long you will once again have a forest of fully-fledged trees.

Large-leaved Cotoneaster, Bloudwergmispel (Cotoneaster glaucophyllus)

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This spineless, upright or arching shrub from China and the Himalayas usually grows between 3 to 5m tall with many branching stems. The leaves are elliptic to ovate, with smooth, dark green upper surfaces, and the lower surfaces of young leaves are greyish-green and covered in whitish hairs. Mature leaves are hairless with pale green or slightly bluish-green undersides. Clusters of white flowers appear in spring or summer, and are followed by glossy clusters of poisonous, scarlet or orange-red berries. This species can also act as a host for a disease called “bacterial fire blight” which is common in orchards.

The large-leaved cotoneaster is a significant environmental weed, especially in Gauteng and Limpopo, but also in KZN. It is spread by birds, and is often washed very far away along watercourses. It often forms dense thickets under tall trees, shading indigenous ground flora.

Silver Leaf Cotoneaster, Silwerdwergmispel, Dwergmispel, ukotini (Cotoneaster pannosus)

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The silver leaf cotoneaster comes from China, and is admired for its gracefully arching unarmed branches which reach up to 3m high. The hairy leaves are a dull green, and the small branchlets and lower surfaces of the leaves are white or yellowish, and velvety in texture. It was especially popular for its lovely white flowers in early spring or summer, followed by showy clusters of deep red berries. Birds love the berries and spread the plant further afield.

In South Africa it is very problematic in the Free State, where it competes with, and has the potential to replace indigenous species, and is invading grasslands, forest margins, kloofs, river banks, and rocky outcrops. Dense stands of this plant can reduce grazing available for both domestic and wild animals.

Pyracantha (Rosaceae)

Pyracantha is a genus of large thorny evergreen shrubs in the family Rosaceae, with about 10 species, native to south China, Asia Minor and Europe.

They were introduced and planted as garden ornamentals in many parts of the world, and sadly in many places they thrived and quickly naturalized. Pyracantha can form dense thickets that compete with native vegetation and also impede the movement of animals and people, and because birds love the berries and disperse the seeds far and wide, several species have histories as weeds in the United States, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Pyracanthas favour habitats like riparian areas, where they form dense stands next to streams which run through dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands. Sclerophyll type vegetation is adapted to long periods of dryness and heat, and closely associated with low soil fertility. This type of vegetation typically features plants which have hard, short and often spiky leaves with short internodes, and leaf orientation which is parallel or oblique to direct sunlight. It is the dominant plant form in regions with a Mediterranean climate, like the winter rainfall regions of the Western Cape.

Orange Firethorn (Pyracantha angustifolia)

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This evergreen shrub from South-western China can grow 2 to 4m high with stiff, spiny branches. The young shoots are covered in thick, yellowish down and the leaves are a dull, dark-green above and grey and downy beneath. The clusters of white flowers are followed by orange-red or orange-yellow berries which are poisonous. Various cultivars have been developed for sale as garden ornamentals, including the cultivar ‘Orange Charmer’ which has masses of decorative orange berries.

It started invading the grassland biome of South Africa in the early 1980’s, and is now widespread in the temperate grasslands of the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga Provinces, as well as in the adjacent countries of Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe.

Pyracantha angustifolia has also naturalised in Canada, Columbia, England, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Russia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, the French Polynesian Islands, the United States of America, and Hawaii.

Pyracantha angustifolia competes with and replaces indigenous species, forming dense stands that become virtually impenetrable, restricting access to both domestic and wild animals. Also, it is believed that our indigenous birds might neglect the dispersal of indigenous plant species in favour of the fruits of this alien species.

Formosa Firethorn (Pyracantha koidzumii)

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The formosa firethorn from South China, Asia Minor and Europe, is another invasive. This evergreen has spiny branches and glossy green leaves, with the undersides sparsely hairy when young. The margin is slightly scalloped, and the leaf blades are at their widest below the middle. White flowers appear in spring, followed by bright red berries.

It is especially problematic in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.

Himalayan Firethorn (Pyracantha crenulata)

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The Himalayan firethorn from Western China is an evergreen shrub or small tree. It has spiny branches bearing simple hairless leaves with dark green upper surfaces that are glossy in appearance. The clusters of small creamy-white flowers are followed by showy red, orange or yellow berries that look like tiny apples.

In South Africa is particularly problematic in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Northern Cape, Limpopo, Free State and Eastern Cape.