Trying to identify an erect shrub or tree that volunteered in a dry, rocky area of my yard about three years ago. I thought it some sort of Ribes' actually was hoping that it was a Red Curent. So far, there have been no flowers or fruit. The shrub or tree almost fits the description for a Black Gooseberry, but there are no small, golden prickles with the larger thick spines at the leaf nodes. There is however, an extra set of small leaves at the base of the larger leaf and spine. Others think that, because of the shape and structure, that it may be a tree, possibly a sumac?
What about this one? It has thorns spaced out on non-bristly stem sections. http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?ID=6967
Re: Identify volunteer I have Pics The plants not in the best location to be photographed but I did my best. I have a couple more but they're not as detailed.
Re: Identify volunteer Ron B Thanks, Ron. I think it's very close but not sure it is same. I could be wrong but see my pics.
Definitely a hawthorn, but not Crataegus monogyna, that doesn't have the pubescence (small hairs) on the leaves and shoots that this one does. Possibly Crataegus azarolus.
The only species with both this general appearance and also coming up wild here with any frequency is C. monogyna. Tabular Key to Hawthorns and Medlars in Phipps, Hawthorns and Medlars (2003, Timber Press, Portland) indicates both the lower surfaces of the leaves and the branches of C. monogyna are sometimes densely hairy.
Re: Identify volunteer Hawthorne Ron, It appears that our replies crossed. Hawthorne looks right. I pulled up another of these in another part of my yard, pretty little thing and and easily identified. This one looked different, perhaps because it came up in a sunnier part of the yard. It will need to be removed as well but I'm not sure if I want to try to transplant to another area of the yard or put it in the yard waste container. I believe these are poisonous so it will probably be the latter. Rats! Still waiting for a Red Currant to pop up somewhere. Thanks alot for your help.
C. monogyna not poisonous: Young, tender leaves have a pleasant nutty taste, and are a good addition to a tossed salad. The young buds are used in spring puddings. The flowers are mixed with sugar and brandy and made into a liqueur, and are also used in syrups and sweet puddings. Fruits are eaten fresh or used for jellies and wines. Dried leaves are brewed into tea --Facciola, Cornucopia II (1998, Kampong Publications, Vista)
I suspect there's some differences in species concepts being used here; any densely hairy European origin hawthorn would normally be considered a distinct species in European floras.
That could happen if he uses a broad species concept including various pubescent hawthorn taxa within C. monogyna; in a narrower species concept they would be treated as distinct species. Descriptions I've had a look at only ever mention at most a few hairs in the leaf vein axils.
I found an image of c monogyna on Wiki and it looks to be the same. Despite the large thorns, it seems a bird friendly shrub so I may try to transplant. About the hair or fuzz on the branch, I hadn't noticed but it seems to have shown up in the pics.
Really a weed in this region, I wouldn't hang onto it for that reason. Some places have lots of them. If you want to such a tree for the birds try a native black hawthorn instead.
