Corkspur Hawthorn - Crataegus crus-galli L.
Description of Plan
Leaf: The leaves can be spoon-shaped or narrowly elliptical and short pointed or rounded at the tip. The leaves are widest at beyond the middle and taper to a narrow base. They are sharply saw-toothed beyond the middle with gland tipped teeth.
Flower: 12-15 mm wide, with 5 white petals in 2-3 styles in large clusters with pink or pale yellow stamens.
Fruit: 10-12 mm in diameter, rounded and greenish or dull red. There may be several in drooping clusters with a hard pulp and 2-3 nutlets.
Twig: Stout with many very long slender brown spines.
Bark: Dark gray or brown and scaly.
Form: Small, spiny, tree with a stout trunk and a broad dense crown of spreading branches.
Description of the Plant
This tree has been planted as an ornamental and hedge tree since the beginning of time. Its nickname is "Hog-Apple"
Copyright
© Sue Grabowski, Gail Slowinski, Carl Schurz High School 2003
References
Coombes, Allen, J, Smithsonian Handbook of Trees, Dorling Kindersley, London, 2002.
Little, Elbert, L., Field Guide to Trees, Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 1980.
Symonds, George, W.D., The Tree Identification Book, Quill Publishing, New York, N.Y. 1958.
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