Crataegus sect. Sanguineae

[Shrubs or] trees, 30–60[–80] dm. Stems: trunks 1–few, ± erect, bark not recorded; compound thorns on trunks not recorded; thorns on twigs determinate, ± straight and conic, stout. Leaves: blade ± ovate, [3–]5–9 cm, ± coriaceous, lobes 3–5 per side, sinuses shallow to deep (if deep, usually proximal 1 or 2 lobes only with deep sinuses, with veins to sinuses), veins 4 or 5[–12] per side, to lobes and deeper sinuses. Inflorescences: branches glabrous [or pubescent]; symmetric bracteoles present, basal bracteoles present, falcate, stipuliform. Flowers: post-mature petals pale paper brown; stamens 20, anthers ivory [pink to purple]. Pomes yellow or orange [red to reddish purple or black]; pyrene sides strongly pitted.

Distribution

Wash., c, e Europe, Asia.

Discussion

Species ca. 20 (1 in the flora).

Section Sanguineae composes three series ranging continuously from eastern Russia across the whole of southern Siberia and Mongolia to the Pacific, then southward to Afghanistan and the mountains of Pakistan as well as most of eastern China. The section is largely absent from the dry interior tablelands and is disjunct in the Danube basin of central Europe, represented there by Crataegus nigra.

Some of the most diagnostic features of this section are the usually short, stout conic thorns, very dark, one- to two-year twigs, presence of basal falcate bracteoles, long filaments, and laterally erose pyrenes.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Crataegus (sect. Sanguineae) ser. Altaicae