170 



COCKSPUR THORN. 

 Crataegus Crus-galli, Linnaeus. 



GENUS DESCRIPTION— The genus Crataegus has the center of its distribution in eastern 

 North America. It reaches its best development in the great limestone formations rather 

 common in this part of America. Prior to 1900 fewer than 75 species were known in the world 

 of which number about 30 were native to North America. At the present time about 700 

 species of trees and shrubs belonging to this genus have been described. In the State of New 

 Yo'k alone 218 species have been described. Porter in his Flora of Pennsylvania published 

 in 1903 records 16 species as native to this State. Only 2 species are described in this bulletin 

 because they are practically of no commercial importance and very diflScult to identify. 



FORM — A small tree sometimes reaching a height of 25 ft. with a diameter of 10-12 inches. 

 Trunk short, bearing stout and spreading branches which form a broad and rather flat crown. 



BARK — Grayish to reddish-brown, sometimes roughened by small scales. 



TWIGS — Smooth, rather slender, at first greenish, later light brown to gray, usually bearing 

 straight or slightly curved and unbranched chestnut-brovra thorns about 3 inches long. 



BUDS — Alternate, i of an inch long, often almost spherical, very blunt-pointed; terminal 

 bud usually present and about the same size as the laterals. Lateral accessory buds are often 

 found at the base of a thorn. Buds are covered with numerous, thick, blunt-pointed, chestnut- 

 brown scales. 



LEAVES — Alternate, simple, obovate to elliptical, 1-3 inches long, long-tapering at base, 

 rounded or short-pointed at apex, sharply serrate on margin except towards base; smooth, thick, 

 and shiny on the upper surface when full grown. Petioles short and broad. 



LEAF-SCARS — Alternate, more than 2-ranked, small, crescent-shaped, containing 3 bundle- 

 scars. 



FLOWERS — Appear about June when leaves are fully developed. They are perfect, white, 

 about § of an inch across and arranged in smooth corymbs. 



FRUIT — Kipens about September but persists into winter. A globose or pear-like pome, about 

 2/5 of an inch long, greenish or dull red, with persistent calyx lobes at apex, containing small 

 nutlets which are rounded at the ends and 2-3 grooved on the back. 



WOOD — Diffuse-porous; rays very inconspicuous; growth rings variable in width and wavy; 

 heavy, hard, reddish-brown, close-grained. Weighs about 45 lbs. per cubic foot. Used for 

 fence posts and fuel. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS— The Cockspnr Thorn, sometimes also known rs 

 Newcastle Thorn, Thorn Apple, Thorn, Hawthorn, and Haw, can best be recognized by its 

 long, usually unbranched chestnut-brown thorns, its small nearly spherical buds, its obovate to 

 elliptical leaves with short and flattened petioles, its flowers which are arranged in corymbs, 

 and its bright, scarlet, apple-like fruit which often persists far into winter. 



RANGE — Southern Canada southward through Connecticut and Virginia to northern Georgia, 

 westward to Michigan, Missouri, and Alabama. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA— Common in the eastern and southern parts of the 

 State. Local in the other parts. 



HABITAT — Common on sandy and gravelly soil. Most frequent on the foothills. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES — This species is of no commercial importance as a forest 

 tree. It is, however, an attractive small tree which has been planted rather extensively for 

 ornamental purposes. It is very variable in its form, leaves, flowers, and fruit. It has been 

 planted as u hedge and in some cases has proved equal to the general requirements. The thorm 

 were formerly used to close woolen sacks in carding mills. 



