Crataegus reverchonii

Shrubs, 10–30(–80) dm. Stems: twigs: new growth glabrous, 1-year old dark gray; thorns on twigs slightly reflexed, 2-years old blackish, usually stout, 3–6 cm. Leaves: petiole 2–5 mm, length 7–11% blade, glabrous, eglandular; blade (on extension shoots) ± orbiculate to broadly elliptic, (on short shoots) ± orbiculate to broadly oblong-elliptic, 2–6 cm, very coriaceous, base broadly cuneate, lobes 0, margins serrulate in distal 1/2, venation semicamptodromous, veins 5 or 6 per side, apex subacute to obtuse, surfaces sparsely hairy young, glabrescent. Inflorescences 8–15-flowered; branches usually glabrous; bracteoles linear, small, margins short-stipitate-glandular. Flowers 8–12 mm diam.; hypanthium glabrous, sometimes slightly pilose; sepals 4 mm, margins subentire, abaxially glabrous; stamens 10–15(–20), anthers cream, rose, or red; styles (2 or)3–5. Pomes red to orange-red, suborbicular, 10 mm diam., glabrous; sepals persistent, patent or reflexed; pyrenes (1–)3–5.

Distribution

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• Legacy Map

Ala., Ark., Del., Ga., Kans., La., Miss., Mo., Okla., Tenn., Tex.

Discussion

Varieties 3 (3 in the flora).

Crataegus reverchonii is differentiated from C. crus-galli by a greater number of styles and pyrenes (except for var. mohrii) and extension-shoot leaves that tend to be suborbiculate. Distinction from a small-leaved form of C. crus-galli from the Edwards Plateau, Texas, needs elucidation. Crataegus stevensiana is sometimes separated out as a variety or species; however, the complex, unresolved variation makes this distinction moot at the moment.

The principal variation within Crataegus reverchonii is between smaller-statured, smaller-leaved, smaller-fruited, more-styled, xeromorphic plants of the southwest (var. reverchonii), and larger-leaved, large-flowered, fewer-styled plants of the mid latitude, eastern United States (var. palmeri). Variety mohrii is intermediate.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Crataegus reverchonii var. mohrii, Crataegus reverchonii var. palmeri, Crataegus reverchonii var. reverchonii

Key

1	Short-shoot leaf blades 4–6 cm; flowers 10–12 mm diam.; styles (2 or)3.	Crataegus reverchonii var. palmeri
1	Short-shoot leaf blades 2–3.5 cm; flowers 8–12 mm diam.; styles 3–5	> 2
2	Flowers 8–10 mm diam.; inflorescences usually glabrous; w of Mississippi River.	Crataegus reverchonii var. reverchonii
2	Flowers 12 mm diam.; inflorescences often pilose; e of Mississippi River.	Crataegus reverchonii var. mohrii