Crataegus mollis (Torrey & A. Gray) Scheele var. mollis. Common name: Downy Hawthorn. Phenology: Mar-Apr; Sep-Oct. Habitat: Mesic forests, alluvial forests, prairies, streamsides, wooded uplands over basic or calcareous soils. Distribution: MI to e. ND, s. to AL, TX south to s. TX, e. to nw. GA; an occurrence of this species in the mountains of VA is atypical of the majority of the range, which is mostly Midwestern, west and southwest of the Appalachians.

ID notes: The typical variety of C. mollis exhibits ovate to broadly ovate or deltate leaves heavily pubescent or tomentose abaxially, particularly in spring; similar vestiture is seen on the stout, eglandular petioles and inflorescence parts. The fruits of some local genotypes can reach 24 mm diameter, among the largest of the genus in the U.S. C. mollis often reaches treelike dimensions, to 10 m tall and trunk diameters to 30 cm.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy ⓘ: = C, Pa, S, Lance (2014); ?> Crataegus albicans Ashe — S; > Crataegus cibaria Beadle — S13; > Crataegus cibilis Ashe; > Crataegus gravida Beadle — S13; < Crataegus mollis (Torr. & A.Gray) Scheele — Ar, GrPl, Il, Mi, Tn; > Crataegus mollis (Torr. & A.Gray) Scheele — S13; > Crataegus mollis (Torr. & A.Gray) Scheele var. mollis — F, G. Basionym: Crataegus mollis (Torr. & A.Gray) Scheele 1848

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Great Plains: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Midwest: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Northcentral & Northeast: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily ⓘ: 6