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Crataegus laciniata Ucria

On a slope between Piano Ciminnita and Serra Circio, in Petralia Sottana (Palermo), a Sicilian hawthorn has been growing for some 400 years. It has now reached the height of 19 ft,
with a trunk measuring about 6.8 ft in average circumference (4.2 ft from the ground, and 9.35 ft in its largest section). It is undoubtedly a beautiful specimen, in fair phytosanitary conditions.

The stem is straight, gnarled and lumpy, flattened on the south side, as a result of cuts suffered in the past and extensive attacks of caries, covered with colonies of pendulous lichens.
Many semi-parasitic plants of Loranthus europaeus and Viscum album stand out among the tree foliage, which tends to be globular.

How to get there

From Piano Sempria, take the dirt track towards Piano Imperiale and Piano Ciminnita, then follow the path to Serra Circio.

Botanical details:

The Sicilian hawthorn, locally called “Uzzulinu di muntagna”, is a shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family that can reach 23 ft in height. It is usually found in the Eastern Mediterranean basin, in particular in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, in Sicily and in North Africa. It prefers calcareous soils. It mostly grows on the edge of the woods, in uncultivated areas. It has a compact grey-brown bark, while the branches feature several thorns.
The edible fruit is a subglobose, pear-shaped pommel of about 0.43-0.47 inches in diameter, containing 2 or 3 seeds.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)