[Hawthorns: The Genus Crataegus in Mt. Adams Country]
Huckleberry Hawthorn, Suksdorf Hawthorn, Suksdorf's Hawthorn
Crataegus gaylussacia
Synonyms: Crataegus douglasii var. suksdorfii, Crataegus suksdorfii
Suksdorf's hawthorn as seen along the Willard Springs Trail, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge...........May
15, 2021.
The photo at right shows several leaves of Suksdorf's hawthorn, which generally is widest in the middle of the blade. Photographed along Kreps Lane..........May 19, 2007.
Characteristics:
Suksdorf's hawthorn is a deciduous shrub or small tree from
1-12 meters high. The bark is rough and scaly with gray coloration on the older
branches and the younger branches a pale grayish-brown The thorns are 8-12 mm
long. The leaves alternate on the branches, and they are simple with pinnate
venation. The leaves are 25-75 mm long, elliptic or oblong in shape, and with
double toothed margins.
The numerous flowers are in flat-topped clusters or corymbs.
The individual flowrs are about 12-15 mm wide with 5 white, orbicular petals.
The sepals are short and triangular. Typically there are 20 stamens (although15
are possible). There are 5 styles. The fruit are black and smooth surfaced,
and this is what gives this hawthorn its common name.
This species is similar to black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii).
Although leaf shape is commonly used, this may be unreliable. The preferred
characteristic used for differentiation is the number of stamens as well as
the color of the young branches.
Habitat:
Suksdorf's hawthorn is found in meadows, on dry hillsides, and
in riparian areas.
Range:
Suksdorf's hawthorn may be found from southern British Columbia
south along the western edge of the Cascades to southern Oregon. It may be found
eastward into the Columbia River Gorge.
The photo above shows a close-up of a flower of Suksdorf's hawthorn. The ovary is inferior. Flowers of this species have 20 stamens and the stigma is 5-lobed.
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Two close-up images of the inflorescence of Suksdorf's hawthorn. Photographed along Kreps Lane, Conboy Lk NWR..........May 19, 2007. Note the 20 stamens and 5-lobed stigma on each flower.
The photo above shows a close-up of the dark red fruits of Suksdorf's hawthorn. Photographed along Laurel Road, Conboy Lk NWR...........September 8, 2007.
The photo above shows a close-up of the thorn of Suksdorf's hawthorn. Photographed along Laurel Road, Conboy Lk NWR..........September 8, 2007.
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The two photos seen above show close-ups of the leaves of Suksdorf's hawthorn. Note that the leaves are widest towards the middle of the blade. Photographed along Laurel Road, Conboy Lk NWR.........September 8, 2007.
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The photos above show close-up details of the dark berries and leaf of Suksdorf's hawthorn as seen along Laurel Road in Conboy Lake NWR.........August 11, 2008.
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Suksdorf's hawthorn in bloom at left along the Willard Springs Trail just north of the Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge headquarters.......May 15, 202.0 The photo at right shows Suksdorf's hawthorn blooming at the same location (next to a large aspen grove) as at left at Conboy Lake NWR...... May 20, 2023.
Paul Slichter