American Thorn Tree - HAMPSTEAD HEATH - 2013

AMERICAN THORN TREE (CRATAEGUS PUNCTATA) - is a species of hawthorn known by the common names dotted hawthorn or white haw. It is native to most of the eastern U.S. and eastern Canada.

The name white haw refers to its distinctive pale (grey) bark, which is particularly noticeable in the winter landscape. The plant is a bush or small tree to about 7 meters in height and very thorny, particularly on the trunk. The flower has 3 to 5 styles and approximately 20 stamens, and the fruit has 3 to 5 nutlets. Anther colour varies from deep purple through red to pink to white, and the mature fruit colour can be deep burgundy, scarlet, yellow, or yellow with a red cheek.

The specimen below is located by the side of the Parliament Hill Fields Cafe (The Italian)