CRATÆGUS MACROSPERMA Ashe. Variable Thorn. (× 1/2.)
12. Crataegus macrospérma Ashe. Variable Thorn. [Plate 88.] Bark brown, scaly; spines numerous, stout, curved, 2-7 cm. (3/4-23/4 inches) long; leaves broadly elliptical-ovate to broadly ovate, 2-7 cm. (3/4-23/4 inches) long and wide, acute at the apex, rounded, truncate or rarely cordate at the base, serrate or doubly serrate, slightly villous, becoming glabrate, dark yellow-green above, membranaceous; petioles slender, 2-3 cm. (1/2-11/4 inches) long, slightly winged above; corymbs glabrous or slightly villous, many-flowered; flowers appear in May, 1.5-2 cm. (1/2-3/4 inch) broad; stamens 5-20, usually 5-10; styles and nutlets usually 3 or 4; calyx lobes lanceolate-acuminate, entire; fruit ripens in August or September, ellipsoidal or pyriform, scarlet to crimson, often glaucous, 1-1.8 cm. (1/3-3/4 inch) thick, flesh succulent, edible; calyx lobes persistent, erect or spreading.
Distribution.—Nova Scotia and Maine to southeastern Minnesota and south in the mountains to North Carolina and Tennessee.
Usually a large shrub but occasionally a small tree, sometimes 8 m. (25 feet) high, with ascending branches.
Specimens have been seen from the following counties: Allen (Deam); Bartholomew (Deam); Clark (Deam); Decatur (Deam); Fulton (Deam); Hancock (Mrs. Chas. C. Deam); Madison (Deam); Porter (Deam); Randolph (Deam); Shelby (Mrs. Chas. C. Deam); Washington (Deam); Wells (Deam); Whitley (Deam).
Crataegus macrosperma Ashe. var. matura (Sargent) Eggleston. Lobes of the leaves acuminate, often recurved; fruit ripens early.
Distribution.—Known in Indiana only from Deam's specimen No. 14187 from Wells County.
13. Crataegus basilìca Beadle. (Crataegus alnorum Sargent. Crataegus Edsoni Sargent). Edson's Thorn. [Plate 89.] Bark brown, scaly; spines 2.5-4 cm. (1-11/2 inches) long, stout, curved; leaves ovate, 3-7 cm. (11/4-23/4 inches) long, acute at the apex, broadly cuneate or truncate at base, serrate or doubly serrate with acute lobes, dull dark yellow-green above, paler beneath; corymbs glabrous, many flowered; flowers 15-20 mm. (5/8-7/8 inch) broad; stamens about 20; anthers pink; styles and nutlets 3-5; fruit subglobose, slightly angular, dark cherry-red, 12-15 mm. (1/2-5/8 inch) thick, flesh succulent; calyx lobes erect or spreading.