About Crataegus punctata Jacq.
Crataegus punctata Jacq. is commonly called white haw. While many North American hawthorn species are polyploid and reproduce through apomixis, this species is apparently diploid and reproduces sexually, at least across all of Ontario, Canada. Its common name white haw comes from its distinctive pale grey bark, which stands out especially clearly in the winter landscape. This plant grows as a bush or small tree reaching up to around 7 meters tall, and it is very thorny, particularly on its trunk. Its flowers have three to five styles and approximately 20 stamens. The fruit it produces is a pome-type polypyrenous drupe that holds three to five pits. Anther colour ranges from deep purple through red and pink to white, and mature fruit colour can be deep burgundy, scarlet, yellow, or yellow with a red blush.
