Cratagus crus-galli, 



THE COCK-SPUR THORN. 



Si/noni/mes. 



Cratagus crus-galli, 



Neflicr pied de coc, 



Glanzende Wispel, 



Lazzeniolo rosso, Lazzeruolo spinoso, 



Cock-spur Thorn, 



LiNNJEUs, Species Plantanim. 



Loudon, Arboretum Briiannicum. 



ToRREY AND Grav, Flora of North America. 



France. 



Germany. 



Italy. 



Britain and Anglo- America. 



Engravings. Loudon, Arboretum Briiannicum, ii., fig. 574 in p. 856, and vi. pi. 126 el 127; and the figures l)elow. 



Specific Characters. Spines long. Leaves obovate-wedge-shaped, nearly sessile, glossy, glabrous, falling 

 ofl" late. Stipules linear. Lobes of the calyx lanceolate, and somewhat serrated. Styles 2. Fruit 

 scarlet. De Candolle, Prodromus. 



pV^ A.^. 



Description. 



ilHE Crataegus crns- 



^ nT^ i^ galli is a beautiful 



^ LI ^ iow tree, often grow- 

 il ing to a height of 

 fifteen or twenty feet, found in woods and hedges, iv 

 from Florida to Canada, and as far west as Mis- ^ 

 souri. It was introduced into Britain in 1691, < 

 and has been more generally cultivated in that ^ 

 country than any other American species. In 

 warm, sheltered situations, it is sometimes sub- 

 evergreen, retaining its leaves and fruit through- 

 out the winter. Its branches are armed with 

 sharp, slender spines, two or three inches long. 

 The leaves are usually obtuse, of a shining, 

 deep-green above, and paler and dull beneath. 

 The flowers appear in April and May, and are 

 succeeded by small, somewhat pyriform, scarlet 

 fruit, which ripens in September and October. 



Varieties. De Candolle and Loudon describe, under this species, the five fol- 

 lowing varieties : 



1. C. c. sPLENDENs. Shining-lsaved Cock-spnr Thorii, the leaves of which are 

 ovate-wedged-shaped, and shining. 



2. C. c. PYRACANTHiFOLiA. Yellow-spined-leaved Cock-spur Thorn. The leaves 

 of this variety are oblong, with the upper part lanceolate, and the lower part 

 tending to wedge-shaped. 



3. C. c. SALiciFOLiA. Willoic-lcaved Cock-spur Thorn, with leaves resembling 

 in shape, those of the preceding variety, and like it, forms a beautiful low, flat- 

 headed tree. 



4. C. c. LiNEARis. Parallel-sided-leaved Cock-spur Thorn. This variety may 

 be knoAvn by its linear-lanceolate leaves, shortish spines, and yellowish-red. 

 fruit. 



