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Crataegus mollis - (image 1 of 8)

Taxonomy

Family: Rosaceae

Habitat

Frequently on floodplains, overgrazed pastures. Most frequent on calcareous soils.

Associates

Claytonia virginica, Cornus racemosa, Eupatorium rugosum, Fraxinus americana, Geum canadense, Osmorhiza claytonii, Prunus serotina, Ribes missouriense, Sambucus canadensis, Sanicula gregaria, Ulmus americana, Viola sororia, Vitis riparia.

Distribution

New England and southeast Canada south to AL, west to MN, KS, and OK.

Morphology

Wide-spreading tree to 12 m; branches with 2" long, curved thorns; older bark rough and scaly. Leaves simple, broadly rounded, downy pubescent beneath particularly when young. Flowers white, in round corymbs; petals 5, stamens 20; styles 4-5; sepals finely divided. Fruit a red drupe that ripens in early fall, does not persist into winter.      

Notes

Flowers mid April to late May

Wetland indicator: Facultative Upland -

Not very popular for landscaping but can be an attractive tree. Fall colors range from yellow to brown. Leaves tend to get spotty in the summer from rust. 

References

Dirr, Michael A. 1998. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses.
5th ed. Champaign, Illiois: Stipes Publishing L.L.C.

Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.
The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY

Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.

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