=12. Crataegus macrospérma= Ashe. Variable Thorn. Plate 88. Bark brown,
scaly; spines numerous, stout, curved, 2-7 cm. (3/4-2-3/4 inches) long;
leaves broadly elliptical-ovate to broadly ovate, 2-7 cm. (3/4-2-3/4
inches) long and wide, acute at the apex, rounded, truncate or rarely
cordate at the base, serrate or doubly serrate, slightly villous,
becoming glabrate, dark yellow-green above, membranaceous; petioles
slender, 2-3 cm. (1/2-1-1/4 inches) long, slightly winged above; corymbs
glabrous or slightly villous, many-flowered; flowers appear in May,
1.5-2 cm. (1/2-3/4 inch) broad; stamens 5-20, usually 5-10; styles and
nutlets usually 3 or 4; calyx lobes lanceolate-acuminate, entire; fruit
ripens in August or September, ellipsoidal or pyriform, scarlet to
crimson, often glaucous, 1-1.8 cm. (1/3-3/4 inch) thick, flesh
succulent, edible; calyx lobes persistent, erect or spreading.
=Distribution.=--Nova Scotia and Maine to southeastern Minnesota and
south in the mountains to North Carolina and Tennessee.
Usually a large shrub but occasionally a small tree, sometimes 8 m. (25
feet) high, with ascending branches.
Specimens have been seen from the following counties: Allen (Deam);
Bartholomew (Deam); Clark (Deam); Decatur (Deam); Fulton (Deam); Hancock
(Mrs. Chas. C. Deam); Madison (Deam); Porter (Deam); Randolph (Deam);
Shelby (Mrs. Chas. C. Deam); Washington (Deam); Wells (Deam); Whitley
(Deam).
=Crataegus macrosperma= Ashe. var. =matura= (Sargent) Eggleston. Lobes
of the leaves acuminate, often recurved; fruit ripens early.
=Distribution.=--Known in Indiana only from Deam's specimen No. 14187
from Wells County.
=13. Crataegus basilìca= Beadle. (_Crataegus alnorum_ Sargent.
_Crataegus Edsoni_ Sargent). Edson's Thorn. Plate 89. Bark brown, scaly;
spines 2.5-4 cm. (1-1-1/2 inches) long, stout, curved; leaves ovate, 3-7
cm. (1-1/4-2-3/4 inches) long, acute at the apex, broadly cuneate or
truncate at base, serrate or doubly serrate with acute lobes, dull dark
yellow-green above, paler beneath; corymbs glabrous, many flowered;
flowers 15-20 mm. (5/8-7/8 inch) broad; stamens about 20; anthers pink;
styles and nutlets 3-5; fruit subglobose, slightly angular, dark
cherry-red, 12-15 mm. (1/2-5/8 inch) thick, flesh succulent; calyx lobes
erect or spreading.
=Distribution.=--New England to southern Michigan, northern Indiana and
Pennsylvania to mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee.
A broad shrub or small tree sometimes 4.5 meters (15 feet) high,
branches ascending.
Specimens examined: Wells (Deam).
[Illustration: Plate 89.