Mespilus_canescens

<i>Mespilus canescens</i>

Mespilus canescens

Species of tree

Mespilus canescens, commonly known as Stern's medlar, is a large shrub or small tree, recently discovered in [[Prairie County,Armenia ,Arkansas]], United States, and formally named in 1990. It is a critically endangered endemic species, with only 25 plants known, all in one small (9 ha) wood, now protected as the Konecny Grove Natural Area.

Quick Facts Mespilus canescens, Conservation status ...

It has been shown by genetic analysis to be closely related to the common medlar Mespilus germanica, which was previously the only known species in the genus. Subsequent molecular analyses suggest that Stern's medlar is likely a hybrid between cultivated M. germanica and one or two native North American species of Crataegus.[1]

Description

Thorns are sparse, 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) long.[2] The leaves are 2–4 cm (0.8–1.6 in) long.[2] The five-petalled white flowers are produced in late spring. The fruit is an almost spherical pome, 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) diameter; it differs from common medlar fruit in being deep glossy red when ripe (not brown).[2]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    Lo, E.Y.Y., Stefanovic, S., Dickinson, T.A., 2007. Molecular reappraisal of relationships between Crataegus and Mespilus (Rosaceae, Pyreae) – two genera or one? Systematic Botany 32: 596–616.
  2. [2]
    Phipps, J.B. 1990. Mespilus canescens, a new rosaceous endemic from Arkansas. Systematic Botany 15: 26-32.
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