Crataegus punctata

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Crataegus punctata
A red-anthered form of this variable species
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Crataegus
Series: Punctatae
(Loudon) Rehder[1]
Species: C. punctata
Binomial name
Crataegus punctata
Jacq.

Crataegus punctata is a species of hawthorn known by the common names dotted hawthorn or white haw that is native to most of the eastern U.S. and eastern Canada. While some sources claim it is the state flower of Missouri,[2] the actual legislation does not identify an exact species.[3] Furthermore, the Missouri Department of Conservation asserts the Crataegus mollis was specifically designated as the state flower.[4]

Flowers of a white-anthered form
Fruit colour varies

Although many North American hawthorns are polyploid and reproduce by apomixis, this species is apparently diploid and sexual, at least throughout Ontario, Canada.[5] The name white haw refers to its distinctive pale (grey) bark, which is particularly noticeable in the winter landscape. The plant is a bush or small tree to about 7 meters in height and very thorny, particularly on the trunk. The flower has 3 to 5 styles and approximately 20 stamens, and the fruit has 3 to 5 nutlets. Anther colour varies from deep purple through red to pink to white, and the mature fruit colour can be deep burgundy, scarlet, yellow, or yellow with a red cheek.

See also

References and external links

  1. ↑ Phipps, J.B.; Robertson, K.R.; Smith, P.G.; Rohrer, J.R. (1990). A checklist of the subfamily Maloideae (Rosaceae). Canadian Journal of Botany. 68(10): 2209–2269.
  2. ↑ 50states.com Missouri State Flower
  3. ↑ http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C000-099/0100000030.HTM
  4. ↑ http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/hawthorns
  5. ↑ Talent, N., Dickinson, T.A. (2005). Canadian Journal of Botany 83: 1268–1304
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