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.
Broadleaf deciduous tree, 20-35 ft (~6-10 m), layered horizontal branches, often wider than tall at maturity, broadly flat-topped at maturity, usually a single thorny trunk, pale gray twigs, slender thorns, 2-6 cm long, straight to slightly curved, sometimes branched, occasionally absent. Leaves simple, alternate, 5-7 cm long, widest hear the top (obovate), gradually tapering to base, margin toothed to slightly lobed, grayish green, many veins ascending obliquely. Flowers white, about 5-15 mm wide, 3-5 styles, 20 stamen; 5-20 flowers in broad, branched clusters. Fruit (haws) subglobose or pear-shaped, conspicuously dotted, about 0.5-2.5 cm long, dull red, sometimes yellow, flesh green, hard and acidic until ripe; 3-4 nutlets.
Sun to shade. Susceptible to rust.Hardy to USDA Zone 2 (Snyder, 2000), 4 or 5 (all are listed, hardiness likely varies with location in its large native range). Native range from southern Quebec and Ontario to Minnesota, south to Georgia. Peattie (1966, p.363) states that, "No tree is more active than this in invading the prairie."
