Crataegus punctata

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. It is the state flower of Missouri.^[2]

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^[3]. 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

• List of hawthorn species with yellow fruit

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. ^ Talent, N., Dickinson, T.A. (2005). Canadian Journal of Botany 83: 1268–1304

• Phipps, J.B., O’Kennon, R.J., Lance, R.W. (2003). Hawthorns and medlars. Royal Horticultural Society, Cambridge, U.K.
• Crataegus species (hawthorns) recorded in Floyd County, Northwest Georgia, Southeastern United States
• GRIN Species Profile
• USDA Plants Profile