Crataegus ambigua
Common name: 
Russian Hawthorn
Pronunciation: 
kra-TEE-gus am-BI-gua
Family: 
Rosaceae
Genus: 
Crataegus
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf deciduous tree, 15-40 ft (4.5-12 m), often greater width; stems have purple spines (thorns), ~1 cm long.  Leaves alternate, simple, deeply, 4-7 lobed, 2.5-5 cm long, slightly pubescent on both surfaces.  Flowers white, 1.5-2 cm wide, 20 anthers, 2, occasionally 1 or 3, purple styles.  Fruit 1.5 cm long, at first bright red, then dark red or purple-black with light dots, fleshy, usually with 2 seeds (nutlets).
  • Sun.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 5     Native to southern Russia
  • ambigua:  uncertain, doubtful (an apparent reference to its very close similarity to the more common C. monogyna which generally has 1 seed per fruit).
  • Denver, Colorado: Denver Botanic Gardens
Click image to enlarge
  • expanding leaves

    expanding leaves

  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • leaves

    leaves

  • leaves and immature fruit

    leaves and immature fruit

  • ripening fruit and leaves

    ripening fruit and leaves

  • plant habit, winter

    plant habit, winter

  • trunk

    trunk

  • trunk, bark

    trunk, bark

  • twigs, winter

    twigs, winter