Evaluating the Economic، Environmental and Medicinal Value of Cotoneaster horizontalis

چکیده

Cotoneaster horizontalis is a valuable species of the Rosaceae family، which is of particular importance due to its ornamental characteristics، high tolerance to environmental stresses، and medicinal properties. This semi-evergreen shrub with creeping branches، pinkish-white flowers، and bright red fruits is widely used in landscape design، green walls، and urban green spaces. Its resistance to drought، salinity، cold، and pollution has made this species an effective player in soil stabilization، reducing erosion، and improving the quality of the urban environment. Economically، its low maintenance requirements and long lifespan reduce the costs of green space management. The nutritional value of its leaves، which are nutritious in some areas of the Himalayas and Kashmir، makes it an important source of livestock pastures. Ornamental use It is used in landscape design and gardens due to its visual appeal، pollinator attraction، resistance، and reduced maintenance costs. Research conducted on milk thistle shows that milk thistle is a great anti-radiation agent that can protect humans by 50%، and in some studies by 10 to 15%، against atomic radiation. From a medicinal point of view، phytochemical studies have reported the presence of active compounds such as flavonoids، phenolic acids، polysaccharides، and triterpenes in various parts of this plant، which have antioxidant، anti-inflammatory، and antidiabetic properties. Milk thistle is also traditionally used in the treatment of neonatal jaundice. Overall، milk thistle is a multipurpose ornamental plant with significant potential in the ornamental، environmental، economic، and medicinal field.

Keywords: Cotoneaster horizontalis، Decorative value، Economics value، Envirnomental value، Medicinal value