Crataegus pulcherrima

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Crataegus pulcherrima
Crataegus pulcherrima Gil.jpg
photo by Gil Nelson
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Crataegus
Species: C. pulcherrima
Binomial name
Crataegus pulcherrima
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CRAT PULC dist.jpg
Natural range of Crataegus pulcherrima from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: beautiful hawthorn

Taxonomic notes

Synonyms: Crataegus pulcherrima var. pulcherrima; C. macilenta Beadle; C. lenis Beadle; C. abstrussa Beadle; C. ancisa Beadle; C. austrina Beadle; C. contrita Beadle; C. concinna Beadle; C. macilenta Beadle; C. pinetorum Beadle; C. illustris Beadle; C. robur Beadle; C. tecta Beadle; C. incilis Beadle; C. intricata Lange

Description

A description of Crataegus pulcherrima is provided in The Flora of North America. Crataegus pulcherrima is a small understory tree, usually with a single main trunk and bushy crown. It's bark tends to be thickish, dark gray, and rough, or broken into small blocks[1].

Distribution

Found from Mississippi to Georgia and northern Florida[2].

Ecology

Habitat

C. pulcherrima can be found in upland mixed hardwood communities, longleaf pine-oak forests, longleaf pine-scrub oak sand ridges, and holly-mixed hardwood forests. It seems to prefer sandy soils, and can be found in well-drained soil occurring over limerock. This species also occurs more frequently in stands with a low second growth of hardwoods[1].

Associated species include Longleaf pine, Loblolly pine, Shortleaf pine, and oak species[1].

Phenology

It has been observed flowering in March, April, and May. Fruiting has been observed in May, June, September, and October[1]. C. pulcherrima reproduces sexually and does not spread vegetatively[3].

Seed dispersal

Fruits are eaten by birds which disperse the seeds[3].

Conservation and Management

Threats to this species include logging, clearing, and conversion of habitat to pine plantations and developments[3].

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2014. Collectors: R. A. Norris, Robert K. Godfrey, and R. Komarek. States and Counties: Florida: Gadsden, Jackson, Leon, Wakulla, and Washington. Georgia: Grady.
  2. Phipps, J. B., R. J. O'Kennon, et al. (2006). "REVIEW OF CRATAEGUS SERIES PULCHERRIMAE (ROSACEAE)." SIDA, Contributions to Botany 22(2): 973-1007.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 [[1]]Georgia Wildlife. Accessed: April 15, 2016