CRATÆGUS CHRYSOCARPA Ashe. Round-leaved Thorn. (× 1/2.)
CRATÆGUS VIRIDIS Linnæus. Southern Thorn. (× 1/2.)
10. Crataegus víridis Linnæus. Southern Thorn. [Plate 86.] Bark gray to light orange; spines uncommon, 2-5 cm. (3/4-31/4 inches) long; leaves oblong-ovate, 2-8 cm. (3/4-31/4 inches) long, 2-5 cm. (1/2-2 inches) wide, acute, acuminate or even obtuse at the apex, serrate or doubly serrate, often with acute or obtuse lobes towards the apex, dark green, shining and slightly impressed veined above, sometimes pubescent along the veins beneath; petioles 1-2 cm. (3/8-3/4 inch) long, slightly winged above; corymbs glabrous, many flowered; flowers appear in May, 1-1.5 cm. (1/2-2/3 inch) broad; stamens about 20; anthers usually yellow, sometimes pink; styles and nutlets 4 or 5; calyx lobes lanceolate-acuminate, entire, slightly pubescent inside; fruit ripens in October, globose or compressed-globose, bright red or orange, glaucous, 4-6 mm. (1/4 inch) thick, flesh thin, hard, edible.
Distribution.—Moist, alluvial soil along streams and lakes, southeastern Virginia to northern Florida and southwestern Indiana to eastern Kansas and Texas.
A tree from 6-11 m. (20-35 feet) high, with ascending branches and a broad crown.