Cockspur Hawthorn
Crataegus crus-galli Linnaeus
Cockspur Hawthorn: https://marylandbiodiversity.com/species/3587
Synonyms
Crataegus arborea  Crataegus canbyi  Crataegus mohrii  Crataegus signata 
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Source: Wikipedia

Crataegus crus-galli
A cultivated form
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Crataegus
Section: Crataegus sect. Coccineae
Series: Crataegus ser. Crus-galli
Species:
C. crus-galli
Binomial name
Crataegus crus-galli
Synonyms[2]
Synonyms list
    • Crataegus acutifolia Sarg.
    • Crataegus albanthera Sarg.
    • Crataegus arborea Beadle
    • Crataegus barrettiana Sarg.
    • Crataegus calophylla Sarg.
    • Crataegus candens Sarg.
    • Crataegus cherokeensis Sarg.
    • Crataegus consueta Sarg.
    • Crataegus hamata E.J.Palmer
    • Crataegus hannibalensis E.J.Palmer
    • Crataegus infera Sarg.
    • Crataegus leptophylla Sarg.
    • Crataegus limnophylla Sarg.
    • Crataegus ludovicensis Sarg.
    • Crataegus monosperma Sarg.
    • Crataegus pachyphylla Sarg.
    • Crataegus paradoxa Sarg.
    • Crataegus parkiae Sarg.
    • Crataegus permera Sarg.
    • Crataegus phaneroneura Sarg.
    • Crataegus polyclada Sarg.
    • Crataegus pyracanthoidesBeadle
    • Crataegus regalis Beadle
    • Crataegus rubrifolia Sarg.
    • Crataegus rudis Sarg.
    • Crataegus severa Sarg.
    • Crataegus strongylophylla Sarg.
    • Crataegus tantula Sarg.
    • Crataegus tardiflora Sarg.
    • Crataegus tenax Ashe
    • Crataegus tenuispina Sarg.
    • Crataegus truncata Sarg.

Crataegus crus-galli is a species of hawthorn known by the common names cockspur hawthorn and cockspur thorn. It is native to North America and is widely used in horticulture. It produces edible fruit.

Description

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This is a small tree growing up to about 10 meters tall and 8 meters wide, rounded in form when young and spreading and flattening as it matures. The leaves are 5 to 6 centimeters long, glossy dark green in color and turning gold to red in the fall. The flowers are white and have a scent generally considered unpleasant. The fruits are small pomes that vary in colour, usually a shade of red.[3] Most wild varieties[specify] of the tree are heavily armed in sharp thorns several centimeters long.[citation needed]

A Cockspur Thorn tree in flower, Oxfordshire UK, 5th May 2022.

Taxonomy

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It is thought to be the parent, along with Crataegus succulenta, of the tetraploid species Crataegus persimilis.

Distribution and habitat

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It is native to eastern North America from Ontario to Texas to Florida.[4][3]

Cultivation

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This species is a popular ornamental tree, especially var. inermis, which lacks thorns. Many other wild forms would be very suitable for landscaping if better known, and yellow-fruited forms exist.[3]

Uses

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The fruit is edible and can be made into jelly or crushed to make tea.[5]

Images

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  • C. crus-galli var. pyracanthifolia
    C. crus-galli var. pyracanthifolia
  • C. crus-galli var. pyracanthifolia
    C. crus-galli var. pyracanthifolia
  • Thorns on 2 to 3-year old branches
    Thorns on 2 to 3-year old branches
  • Branched thorns on the trunk
    Branched thorns on the trunk
  • Seeds
    Seeds
  • Preserved fruit
    Preserved fruit

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2018). "Crataegus crus-galli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T135957789A135957791. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T135957789A135957791.en. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  2. ^ Phipps, J.B. (2015), "Crataegus crus-galli Linnaeus", in L. Brouillet; K. Gandhi; C.L. Howard; H. Jeude; R.W. Kiger; J.B. Phipps; A.C. Pryor; H.H. Schmidt; J.L. Strother; J.L. Zarucchi (eds.), Flora of North America North of Mexico, vol. 9: Magnoliophyta: Picramniaceae to Rosaceae, New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 538–619
  3. ^ a b c Phipps, J.B.; O’Kennon, R.J.; Lance, R.W. (2003). Hawthorns and medlars. Cambridge, U.K.: Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0-88192-591-8.
  4. ^ NRCS. "Crataegus crus-galli L.". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  5. ^ Elias, Thomas S.; Dykeman, Peter A. (2009) [1982]. Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods. New York: Sterling. pp. 237–38. ISBN 978-1-4027-6715-9. OCLC 244766414.
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