Hillside hawthorn (Crataegus punctata, Hort. bot. vindob. 1:10, t. 28. 1770)

Family: Rosaceae

Author: Jacq.

Bibliography: Hort. bot. vindob. 1:10, t. 28. 1770

Year: 1770

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Crataegus

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Canada to N. & EC. U.S.A.

Description

Hillside hawthorn, recognized scientifically as Crataegus punctata, is a distinguished member of the Rosaceae family. This species has drawn the attention of botanists and horticulturists since it was first documented in 1770 in the publication “Hortus botanicus vindobonensis” by Jacquin. Native to Eastern Canada and extending through Northern and Eastern Central regions of the United States, this hawthorn species thrives in a variety of climates typical of these areas.

The Crataegus punctata is notable for its adaptability to the rugged terrains it often calls home, typically found on hillsides which has inspired its common name. This deciduous tree or large shrub is celebrated for its dense clusters of delicate, white blossoms that flourish in the spring, offering a vivid contrast against its dark green foliage. As the seasons progress, these blossoms give way to small, apple-like fruits that dot the branches in shades of red to brown, providing a source of attraction for wildlife.

Its well-spread branches and thorny appearance not only add an aesthetic ruggedness but also make it a formidable natural fence. While the Hillside hawthorn is not extensively cultivated for ornamentation, its presence is a marvel of natural beauty and ecological value, often contributing to erosion control on slopes and providing habitat and food for various fauna.

The Hillside hawthorn, therefore, stands as a testament to the diversity and resilience of the Rosaceae family, embodying both the picturesque allure and the practical benefits that native plants offer to their ecosystems.

Common Names

Eng: dotted hawthorn, dottedthorn, hillside hawthorn, white hawthorn, large-fruited hawthorn
Dan: prikket hvidtjørn
Deu: punktierter weißdorn
Swe: prickhagtorn
Fra: aubépine ponctuée
En: Hillside hawthorn, Dotted hawthorn, Dottedthorn, White hawthorn, Large-fruited hawthorn
Be: Глог кропкавы
Zh: 點狀山楂
Da: Prikket hvidtjørn
Fi: Ontarionorapihlaja
Fr: Aubépine ponctuée
De: Punktierter Weißdorn
Ru: Боярышник точечный
Sv: Prickhagtorn

Synonyms

• Crataegus flava (Darl.)
• Mespilus caroliniana (J.C.Wendl.)
• Crataegus punctata var. canescens (Britton)
• Crataegus punctata f. canescens ((Britton) Kruschke)
• Crataegus succincta (Sarg.)
• Crataegus tomentosa var. punctata ((Jacq.) A.Gray)
• Crataegus punctata subsp. decipiens (Schuette)
• Halmia cornifolia ((Poir.) M.Roem.)
• Crataegus punctata f. intermedia (Kruschke)
• Crataegus moselemensis var. corrugata (Gruber)
• Mespilus cornifolia (Münchh.)
• Crataegus crocata (Ashe)
• Crataegus pratensis (Sarg.)
• Crataegus tomentosa var. chapmanii (Beadle)
• Mespilus chapmanii ((Beadle) Daniels)
• Crataegus fastosa (Sarg.)
• Crataegus obovatifolia (M.Roem.)
• Halmia punctata ((Jacq.) M.Roem.)
• Crataegus punctata f. aurea ((Aiton) Rehder)
• Oxyacantha punctata ((Jacq.) Nieuwl.)
• Crataegus punctata var. xanthocarpa ((M.Roem.) Lavallée)
• Crataegus punctata var. rubra (Aiton)
• Crataegus tomentosa plicata (Alph.Wood)
• Crataegus secta (Sarg.)
• Halmia punctata trewiana (M.Roem.)
• Halmia punctata xanthocarpa (M.Roem.)
• Crataegus moselemensis (Gruber)
• Crataegus punctata var. aurea (Aiton)
• Mespilus trewiana (Tausch)
• Crataegus punctata var. microphylla (Sarg.)
• Crataegus punctata var. mutabilis (Gruber)
• Crataegus pyrifolia ((Desf.) Rehder)
• Mespilus flexuosa (Bosc)
• Crataegus collina var. secta ((Sarg.) E.J.Palmer)
• Crataegus collina var. succincta ((Sarg.) E.J.Palmer)
• Mespilus punctata ((Jacq.) Dum.Cours.)
• Phaenopyrum trewianum ((Tausch) M.Roem.)
• Crataegus cuneifolia ((Ehrh.) Borkh.)
• Mespilus cuneifolia (Ehrh.)

Distribution

• Connecticut (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Maine (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 3, 2022 by Adriana Andrade (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2021 by Malaika Mitra (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Adriana Andrade (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2022 by Nicolas Tison (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by Barbara Philippot (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 29, 2020 by Bessette Suzzanah (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2021 by tech mech (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2021 by buisson krystine (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2021 by buisson krystine (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2021 by zeb hulon (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 11, 2020 by Matt Cortese (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2021 by Sarah Cornell (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2022 by Nicolas Tison (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by Joel Hicks (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by Barbara Philippot (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by Barbara Philippot (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:68847-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3014805)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Crataegus punctata Jacq.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree, Shrub

Growth