Distribution in West Virginia.—A common thorn throughout the State.
Habitat.—Borders of woods and abandoned fields on many kinds of soils.
Notes.—As indicated by the name, this species is armed with long, curved thorns. The taper-based, serrate, glossy leaves and the dull red-green fruits will help the student in identifying this common tree.
DOTTED THORN
Crataegus punctata, Jacq.
Form.—Height 10-35 feet, diameter 8-14 inches; trunk thick and short; crown very broad and flat-topped.
Leaves.—Alternate, simple, oblanceolate-obovate, 1½-3 inches long, tapering at the base, rounded or blunt-pointed at apex, irregularly serrate or sometimes lobed, dull grayish-green and strongly impressed-veined above.
Flowers.—May-June; perfect; white, about ¾ of an inch across, in corymbs with tomentose stalks; stamens usually about 20.