| Mespilus canescens | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Mespilus |
| Species: | M. canescens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Mespilus canescens | |
Mespilus canescens, commonly known as Stern's medlar,[2] is a large shrub or small tree, recently discovered in Prairie County, 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.[3]
Originally discovered by Jane Stern (hence "Stern's medlar") in 1968–69, the plant was difficult to identify, and at times placed in the genus Crataegus, and even Aronia. J.B. Phipps first described it as belonging to the genus Mespilus in 1990.[4]
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, in which case it should be referred to as × Crataemespilus canescens.[5]
- ^ Treher, A. (2023). "Crataegus x canescens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023: e.T200290940A200291542. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T200290940A200291542.en. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "Stern's Medlar". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ "Konecny Grove Natural Area". Division of Arkansas Heritage. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
The natural area protects the only known population of the rare Stern's medlar.
- ^ Enzenbacher, Tiffany (2019). "A Medlar by Any Other Name" (PDF). Arnoldia. 77 (1): 16–25.
- ^ 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.