Spiny large shrub or small tree, to 4.6 m (15 ft) in height and 10 cm (4 in) in diameter. Crown broad and rounded with spreading branches. Bark dark brown and scaly. Twigs lustrous brown, glabrous; with many spines up to 5 cm (2 in) in length. Leaves alternate,simple, broadly ovate, 6-7.5 cm (2.4-3 in) long and 5-6 cm (2-2.4 in) wide, glabrous,dull dark green above, paler beneath, pubescent when young, glabrous with age, variable, either acute, rounded or narrow at base, acute at apex, serrate or doubly serrate with several shallow lobes above the middle, turning dull dark green above, paler beneath. Flowers in corymbs, glabrous, 4-7, 1.9 cm (0.75 in) wide, calyx-tube broadly obconic and glabrous; petals 5, white; styles 5; stamens 20, anthers rose colored; flowers appear in May. Fruits pomes, 2 cm (0.8 in) diameter, subglobose and terminally flattened, shiny dark red with many pale dots, pulp thick and juicy; seeds 5.
Distribution: southern Illinois, west to Kansas, south to northeastern Oklahoma and northern Arkansas. Uncommon in Oklahoma.
Habitat: dry uplands on limestone hills.
Comments: Crataegus is the classical name for hawthorns; cocciniodes refers to the resemblance of Kansas hawthorn to Crataegus coccinea. Foliage turns red to bright orange in the fall.
Wildlife benefits: In general, the fruits of hawthorn species are eaten by several species of birds.
NWI status: none
Distribution in Oklahoma: There are no specimens in the Bebb Herbarium, but it has been reported from Pontotoc County.
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Last update: 9/9/99
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