Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Rosaceae

Genus:

Crataegus

Species:

Crataegus crus-galli

USDA Symbol:

CRCR2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub , Tree

Height:

900 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

may,jun

Bloom Colors:

white

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Fall Color:

orange, red, bronze

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from the root crown following fire. Mature specimens can tolerate moderate fire due to thick bark.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

fertile, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

Native to open woodlands and fields

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 120–240 days

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

365–730 days

Notes:

Seeds exhibit double dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification; germination may take 1-2 years. Scarification of the hard seed coat improves germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI