Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Plant Identification => Plant Identification Questions and Answers => Topic started by: Darren on October 03, 2012, 07:51:37 PM

Title: Crataegus ??
Post by: Darren on October 03, 2012, 07:51:37 PM: This came to us in 2004 from friends when we set up our garden here. If it ever had a label it is long gone.

I'm sure it is a Crataegus, but what species?

It has formed a nice small tree. The flowers (not shown) are nothing special, though they are typical for the genus they tend to hide under the foliage and have a slightly unpleasant scent, unlike our native species.

The thorns are especially notable, being up to 8cm long and lethally sharp. Prunings are great for deterring cats ;)
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: Giles on October 03, 2012, 08:06:12 PM: The easiest option:
C. x persimilis (C.prunifolia)
It has very shiny leaves and big thorns.
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: Darren on October 03, 2012, 08:14:48 PM: Google images of that name look about right to me :)

Many thanks Giles!

This forum is amazing!
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: angie on October 03, 2012, 09:26:08 PM: Hope you never fall in that shrub Darren :o

Angie :)
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: Darren on October 04, 2012, 07:53:28 AM: Me too ;D
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: SusanS on October 04, 2012, 12:56:55 PM: Quote from: angie on October 03, 2012, 09:26:08 PM
Hope you never fall in that shrub Darren :o

Angie :)

it is the one plant in the garden where all the safety advice is followed, goggles, gloves, thick coat and hat are all worn during pruning. Normally we only carryout the pruning when both of us are in the garden just in case!

Susan
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: Paddy Tobin on October 04, 2012, 08:02:49 PM: I have C. prunifolia in the garden and can attest to the danger of the thorns. Another in the garden which is more lethal, because of its position and equally long thorns, is C. crus-galli.

Paddy
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: Darren on October 05, 2012, 07:21:17 AM: Thankfully it is positioned so that we never walk directly past it thus reducing the risk of accidental injury!
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: Paddy Tobin on October 07, 2012, 01:34:25 PM: Crataegus prunifolia in the garden yesterday.
Paddy
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: mark smyth on October 07, 2012, 02:15:30 PM: Can I beg some prunings? I have something in mind LOL
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: Paddy Tobin on October 07, 2012, 07:51:55 PM: Would some haws/berries do, Mark? I grew mine from a haw.

Paddy
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: David Nicholson on October 07, 2012, 08:04:07 PM: Quote from: mark smyth on October 07, 2012, 02:15:30 PM
Can I beg some prunings? I have something in mind LOL

Moggies?
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: ronm on October 07, 2012, 08:06:00 PM: Self flagellation ??
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: mark smyth on October 07, 2012, 08:10:39 PM: Paddy it would not grow fast enough for my job, thanks. Could it make a nice plant for a large pot?
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: Palustris on October 07, 2012, 08:51:59 PM: There is a Craetagus called C. crus-galli which has very very long thorns like that.
Title: Re: Crataegus ??
Post by: brianw on October 07, 2012, 11:42:28 PM: If it is a hybrid tree seed grown plants may not come true. I collected some very large haws from a similar tree on a local golf course, with leaves just like the photo above, but the seedlings have toothed leaves similar to wild "May". No idea what the fruit will be, if I am around that long.