Easily confused with : Small-Leaved Cotoneaster Cotoneaster microphyllus) which is also a low-growing shrub with slightly smaller matt crimson red berries at 5-8mm (rather than 7-10mm of Entire-Leaved Cotoneaster) and also has smaller leaves at only 5-12mm (rather than the 7-15mm of Entire-Leaved Cotoneaster).

Some similarities to : Thyme-Leaved Cotoneaster Cotoneaster thymifolius).

The berries of Cotoneasters are poisonous, causing gastroenteritis if consumed. Birds usually find Cotoneaster berries too hard, so hardly ever eat them.

Originally from the Himalayas to Western China, Entire-Leaved Cotoneaster is much more likely to be found growing in someone's garden rather than in the wild, but it does indeed escape, and is said to be 'frequent' over the entire UK (although your author has never seen it!). The flowers are large for the leaves, at c.11mm across, and white with purple anthers.