Mespilus canescens

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Mespilus canescens
Mespilus canescens - Missouri Botanical Garden.jpg
Status TNC G1.svg
Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Mespilus
Species:
M. canescens
Binomial name
Mespilus canescens

Mespilus canescens, commonly known as Stern's medlar, [2] is a large shrub or small tree, recently discovered in Prairie County, Arkansas, United States, and formally named in 1990. It is a critically endangered endemic species, with only 25 plants known, all in one small (9 ha) wood, now protected as the Konecny Grove Natural Area. [3]

Contents

Originally discovered by Jane Stern (hence "Stern's medlar") in 1968–69, the plant was difficult to identify, and at times placed in the genus Crataegus, and even Aronia. J.B. Phipps first described it as belonging to the genus Mespilus in 1990. [4]

It has been shown by genetic analysis to be closely related to the common medlar Mespilus germanica , which was previously the only known species in the genus. Subsequent molecular analyses suggest that Stern's medlar is likely a hybrid between cultivated M. germanica and one or two native North American species of Crataegus , in which case it should be referred to as × Crataemespilus canescens. [5]

Description

Thorns are sparse, 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) long. [6] The leaves are 2–4 cm (0.8–1.6 in) long. [6] The five-petalled white flowers are produced in late spring. The fruit is an almost spherical pome, 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) diameter; it differs from common medlar fruit in being deep glossy red when ripe (not brown). [6]

Uses

While Stern's medlar has been noted for its great horticultural potential, [7] [8] [9] the plant is cultivated mainly for botanical purposes. [10] [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maloideae</span> Subfamily of flowering plants

The MaloideaeC.Weber was the apple subfamily, a grouping used by some taxonomists within the rose family, Rosaceae. Recent molecular phylogenetic evidence has shown that the traditional Spiraeoideae and Amygdaloideae form part of the same clade as the traditional Maloideae, and the correct name for this group is Amygdaloideae. Earlier circumscriptions of Maloideae are more-or-less equivalent to subtribe Malinae or to tribe Maleae. The group includes a number of plants bearing commercially important fruits, such as apples and pears, while others are cultivated as ornamentals.

<i>Mespilus germanica</i> Fruit tree, the medlar

Mespilus germanica, known as the medlar or common medlar, is a large shrub or small tree in the rose family Rosaceae. The fruit of this tree, also called medlar, has been cultivated since Roman times, is usually available in winter and eaten when bletted. It may be eaten raw and in a range of cooked dishes.

<i>Mespilus</i> Genus of flowering plants

Mespilus, commonly called medlar, is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae containing the single species Mespilus germanica of southwest Asia. It is also found in some countries in the Balkans, especially in Albanian and Bulgarian regions, and in western parts of Caucasian Georgia. A second proposed species, Mespilus canescens, discovered in North America in 1990, proved to be a hybrid between M. germanica and one or more species of hawthorn, and is properly known as × Crataemespilus canescens.

<i>Crataegus laevigata</i> Species of plant

Crataegus laevigata, known as the Midland hawthorn, English hawthorn, woodland hawthorn, or mayflower, is a species of hawthorn native to western and central Europe, from Great Britain and Spain, east to Romania and Ukraine. The species name is sometimes spelt C. levigata, but the original orthography is C. lævigata.

<i>Amelanchier <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> lamarckii</i> Species of flowering plant

Amelanchier × lamarckii, also called juneberry, serviceberry or shadbush, is a large deciduous flowering shrub or small tree in the family Rosaceae.

Medlar is a large shrub or small tree cultivated for its edible fruits.

Crataegus brachyacantha is one of the "black-fruited" species of hawthorn, but it is only very distantly related to the other black-fruited species such as C. douglasii or C. nigra. The common names blueberry haw and blueberry hawthorn refer to the appearance of the fruit, which are almost blue, and does not refer to their taste. The species is rarely cultivated but has ornamental leaves, flowers, and foliage. It is native to Louisiana, and also occurs just across the border of neighbouring states.

<i>Crataegus chrysocarpa</i> Species of hawthorn

Crataegus chrysocarpa is a species of hawthorn that is native to much of the continental United States and Canada. Common names fireberry hawthorn and goldenberry hawthorn, as well as the scientific name all refer to the colour of the unripe fruit, although the mature fruit is red and in var. vernonensis is "deep claret-colored … nearly black when over-ripe".

Crataegus collina is a type of hawthorn that is closely related to C. punctata, the dotted hawthorn, and sometimes considered to be the same species. A sample of C. collina and C. punctata has suggested that C. collina is polyploid, and C. punctata is diploid, but a wider sample is needed to confirm that this is generally the case.

<i>Crataegus erythropoda</i> Species of hawthorn

Crataegus erythropoda is a hawthorn native to the southern Rocky Mountains in the United States. The leaves are conspicuously shiny above and fruit ("haws") are dark purplish red. It is seldom cultivated, but at one time was listed in the nursery trade under the common name "Chocolate Haw". It is closely related to C. rivularis which has fruit that are fully black when ripe.

<i>Crataegus marshallii</i> Species of hawthorn

Crataegus marshallii is a species of hawthorn known by the common name parsley hawthorn. It is native to the southeastern United States.

<i>Crataegus pentagyna</i> Species of hawthorn

Crataegus pentagyna, also called small-flowered black hawthorn, is a species of hawthorn native to southeastern Europe. Two subspecies are recognized, C. p. subsp. pentagyna and C. p. subsp. pseudomelanocarpa. The fruit are usually black, but are sometimes a handsome purple.

<i>Crataegus punctata</i> Species of hawthorn

Crataegus punctata is a species of hawthorn known by the common names dotted hawthorn or white haw that is native to most of the eastern United States and eastern Canada. While some sources claim it is the state flower of Missouri, the actual legislation does not identify an exact species. Furthermore, the Missouri Department of Conservation asserts the Crataegus mollis was specifically designated as the state flower.

<i>Crataegus saligna</i> Species of hawthorn

Crataegus saligna is a species of hawthorn known by the common name willow hawthorn that is seldom cultivated and rather rare in the wild. Its native range is wet areas of western Colorado and northeastern Utah. It is a shrub or small tree with thin, elongated leaves, small flowers, small black fruit, and reddish bark.

<i>Crataegus triflora</i> Species of hawthorn

Crataegus triflora is an uncommon hawthorn species of the south-eastern United States, of known by the common name three-flowered hawthorn.

<i>Crataegus phippsii</i> Species of hawthorn

Crataegus phippsii is a species of hawthorn native to south-central British Columbia, Washington state, and Montana. It forms a shrub or small tree to 7 m in height with leaves that have white hair on the underside, and fruit that ripen through red to purplish black. It appears to have potential as an ornamental plant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maleae</span> Tribe of flowering plants

The Maleae are the apple tribe in the rose family, Rosaceae. The group includes a number of plants bearing commercially important fruits, such as apples and pears, while others are cultivated as ornamentals. Older taxonomies separated some of this group as tribe Crataegeae, as the Cydonia group, or some genera were placed in family Quillajaceae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malinae</span> Subtribe of flowering plants

Malinae is the name for the apple subtribe in the rose family, Rosaceae. This name is required by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, which came into force in 2011 for any group at the subtribe rank that includes the genus Malus but not either of the genera Rosa or Amygdalus. The group includes a number of plants bearing commercially important fruits, such as apples and pears, while others are cultivated as ornamentals.

× Crataemespilus is the generic name applied to hybrids between the genera Crataegus and Mespilus. It should not be confused with + Crataegomespilus, which is applied to graft-chimeras between those genera.

<i>Crataegus <span style="font-style:normal;">ser.</span> Molles</i> Species of hawthorn

Series Molles is a series within the genus Crataegus that contains at least six species of hawthorn trees and shrubs, native to Eastern North America. Some of the species are cultivated as ornamental plants. They have relatively large leaves, large flowers, and bloom early for hawthorns. The plant parts are usually hairy, particularly in early growth, and the fruit are generally red and are large for hawthorn fruit.

References

  1. Treher, A. (2023). "Crataegus x canescens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2023: e.T200290940A200291542. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T200290940A200291542.en . Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  2. "Stern's Medlar". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  3. "Konecny Grove Natural Area". Division of Arkansas Heritage . Retrieved 2024-10-15. The natural area protects the only known population of the rare Stern's medlar.
  4. Enzenbacher, Tiffany (2019). "A Medlar by Any Other Name" (PDF). Arnoldia. 77 (1): 16–25.
  5. Lo, E.Y.Y., Stefanovic, S., Dickinson, T.A., 2007. Molecular reappraisal of relationships between Crataegus and Mespilus (Rosaceae, Pyreae) – two genera or one? Systematic Botany 32: 596–616.
  6. 1 2 3 Phipps, J.B. 1990. Mespilus canescens, a new rosaceous endemic from Arkansas. Systematic Botany 15: 26-32.
  7. "Mespilus in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  8. Sutton, Julian (2023). "× Crataemespilus canescens - Trees and Shrubs Online". Trees and Shrubs Online. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  9. Phipps, J.B.; O'Kennon, R.J.; Lance, R.W. (2003). Hawthorns and Medlars. Royal Horticultural Society Plant Collector Guides. Portland, Oregon: Royal Horticultural Society/Timber Press. pp. 104–107.
  10. "Plant of the Week: xCrataemespilus canescens: Stern's Medlar". Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  11. "Mespilus canescens - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2024-10-16.

Further reading