Crataegus germanica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ostinia mespylus
• Crataegus mespilus
• Mespilus germanica f. globosa
• Mespilus germanica var. hortensis
• Mespilus germanica var. integrifolia
• Mespilus abortiva
• Mespilus germanica var. macrocarpa
• Mespilus germanica
• Mespilus germanica var. abortiva
• Mespilus germanica maliformis
• Mespilus germanica var. apyrena
• Mespilus germanica f. obconica
• Mespilus germanica f. apyrena
• Mespilus germanica pyriformis
• Mespilus germanica var. serrulata
• Mespilus germanica var. stricta
• Mespilus germanica f. cylindrica
• Mespilus germanica var. sylvestris
• Mespilus germanica var. diffusa
• Mespilus macrocarpa
• Mespilus vulgaris
• Mespilus sylvestris
• Mespilus portentosa
• Mespilus pubescens
• Pyrus germanica
• Mespilus germanica f. macrocarpa
• Mespilus germanica var. gigantea
• Mespilus germanica var. sativa
• Mespilus apyrena
• Mespilus calicina

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Crataegus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be specifically noted within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found inhabiting the landscapes of Belgium and Germany. Its range also extends through the central territories of Austria. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal species includes the areas of Czechia and Slovakia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Crataegus germanica is characterized by its ability to thrive in a diverse range of disturbed and transitional environments. This species is commonly found inhabiting cut-over forests, dense forest interiors, and the sunlit margins of forest edges, where it often acts as a pioneer or transitional component of the vegetation. It demonstrates significant ecological plasticity by colonizing various landscapes, including mountainous regions and roadside habitats, where it can withstand different elevations and varying levels of soil disturbance. Furthermore, it is frequently observed growing within shrubberies, contributing to the structural complexity of scrublands and thickets.

Habitat :

cut-over forest, forest, forest edges, mountains, roadsides, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Crataegus germanica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground, a structural strategy that allows it to thrive in diverse environments. The plant follows a deciduous growth pattern, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, which plays a crucial role in its survival cycle. Its biological development and structural organization are defined by this phanerophyte life form, which dictates its vertical growth habit and resource management throughout its lifespan.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Crataegus germanica is characterized by its woody structure and versatile growth forms, appearing as both a shrub and a tree. As a terrestrial organism, it is an independent species that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variation in height, with a minimum recorded height of 1.5 m, a maximum of 6 m, and a mean plant height of approximately 6.375 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

6.375 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Crataegus germanica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying entirely on autotrophic mechanisms rather than capturing prey for nutrients. Its leaf morphology is defined by a mean leaf size of 27.475 cm², and it possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 181.5 cm²/g, reflecting a specific relationship between its leaf mass and surface area that influences its gas exchange and light interception capabilities.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

27.475 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

181.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Crataegus germanica is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle that relies on biotic mechanisms. The flowering period for this species is concentrated in the month of May, during which it utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome specifically driven by insects. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, it does not exhibit asexual reproduction. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a significant variation in mass, ranging from a minimum of 0.0159 g to a maximum of 0.2368 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.093368 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, specifically through endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed after being ingested by animals, facilitating the plant's spread through its environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

May

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.2368 g

Seed mass mean:

0.093368 g

Seed mass min:

0.0159 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Crataegus germanica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Cell biochemistry and biophysics

Chemicals

Crataegus germanica has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Flavonoid, Isoquercitrin, Phenolic acid, RUTIN.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoid

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

Isoquercitrin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Phenolic acid

1. Cell biochemistry and biophysics

RUTIN

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

caffeic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

phenol

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Crataegus germanica has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include MG leaf extract, leaf extract.

Mg leaf extract

1. Cell biochemistry and biophysics

Leaf extract

1. Cell biochemistry and biophysics