Crataegus submollis Sarg.

Quebec hawthorn

Quebec hawthorn is native to eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.

Plants: Deciduous shrubs or small trees reach up to 20–23′ (6–7 m) in height. Mature trees have thin, grayish-brown bark that splits into narrow plates. Young branches are green and hairy, becoming gray-brown and hairless, then gray. Stiff thorns are straight or slightly curved, and 1¼–2½″ (3.2–7.0 cm) long. Black at first, thorns age to gray.

Leaves: Alternate, broadly ovate, 2½–4 ⨉ 2–3½″ (6.3–10 ⨉ 5.7–8.9 cm). Leaves are widest at the base, tapering a varying amount toward the tip. Their petioles are about 30-50% of the length of the leaf. Each leaf side has 3-5 shallow lobes with small teeth.

Flowers: Flat-topped clusters of 5-15 flowers at twig tips appear after the leaves, from May to June. Each flower is ¾–13/16″ (2–2.2 cm) around, white, with five petals, and 7-10 white-tipped stamens. Five sepals underlie each flower.

Fruits: Clusters of fleshy, berry-like pomes appear in September to October. Each pome is ⅜–½″ (1–1.5 cm) around, round or slightly pear-shaped. They ripen to dull or sometimes shiny red.

Habitats: Partial shade or full sun, in thickets, edges of woodlands, meadows, and floodplains.

Edibility: Fruits are very sour, and cannot be eaten raw. But if their cynanide-containing seeds are removed, they can then be cooked into jellies, sauces, or wines.

Online References:

Older scientific or horticultural names

Crataegus submollis description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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