99. Crataegus craytonii Beadle, Biltmore Bot. Stud. 1: 121. 1902.
[(as craytoni)]
Crayton hawthorn
Shrubs, 20–30 dm. Stems: twigs: new growth reddish green, densely hairy, 1–2-years old dark gray-brown, older gray; thorns on twigs ± straight, 2-years old blackish, very slender, 2–3 cm. Leaves: petiole ˂1–2 mm wide˃, length 25–40% blade, ˂winged distally˃, pubescent, glandular; blade ovate to broadly elliptic, 4–8 cm, base cuneate to truncate (suddenly narrowed to petiole), lobes 3 or 4 per side ˂often obscure˃, sinuses sometimes quite deep, lobe apex acute, margins strongly serrate, ˂teeth gland-tipped˃, veins 5 per side, apex acute, surfaces rough-hairy. Inflorescences 3–7-flowered; branches pubescent; bracteole margins stipitate-glandular. ˂Pedicels pubescent˃. Flowers 20 mm diam.; hypanthium densely pubescent; sepals 7 mm, margins glandular-pectinate to glandular-serrate, ˂abaxially pubescent˃; stamens 20, anthers pale yellow or cream; styles 3–5. Pomes red to ruddy, broadly ellipsoid, 7–10 mm diam., pubescent; sepals on collar, ± reflexed; pyrenes 3–5.
Flowering Apr; fruiting Sep–Oct. Wooded areas; of conservation concern; 100–300 m; Ala., Ga., N.C., Va.
Crataegus craytonii is a rare shrub from a few scattered localities. The species resembles C. biltmoreana in its hairiness but has usually larger, differently shaped leaves, 20 stamens, and red to ruddy pomes.