Hawthorn

For other uses, see Hawthorn (disambiguation).

Hawthorn is the name of a large group of shrubs and small trees in the genus Crataegus, family Rosaceae, characterized by their small, apple-like fruits and thorny branches. The fruits are sometimes known as 'haws', from which the name derived. The original name was applied to the species native to northern Europe, especially the Common Hawthorn, C. monogyna, but is now applied to the entire genus. They are native to the temperate northern hemisphere. The number of species in the group may extend to a thousand or more, though some botanists would reduce the number of species considerably.

Hawthorns provide food and shelter for many species of birds and mammals, and the flowers are important for many nectar-feeding insects. The leaves are sometimes eaten by the larvae of Lepidoptera species including Emperor Moth, Buff Arches, Common Emerald, Common Marbled Carpet, November Moth, Pale November Moth, Mottled Pug, Common Pug, Green Pug, Scalloped Hazel, Swallow-tailed Moth, Feathered Thorn, Dotted Border, Mottled Umber, Willow Beauty and Mottled Beauty.

In Celtic lore, the hawthorn plant was used commonly for rune inscriptions along with Yew and Apple. It was once said to heal the broken heart.

Many species and hybrids are used as ornamental and street trees. The Common Hawthorn is extensively used in Europe as a hedge plant. Several cultivars of the Midland Hawthorn C. laevigata have been selected for their pink or red flowers. Hawthorns are among the trees most recommended for water-conservation landscapes.

Species

The species include the following;

• Crataegus aemula – Rome Hawthorn
• Crataegus aestivalis – May Hawthorn
• Crataegus altaica – Altai Hawthorn
• Crataegus ambigua – Russian Hawthorn
• Crataegus ambitiosa – Grand Rapids Hawthorn
• Crataegus anamesa – Fort Bend Hawthorn
• Crataegus ancisa – Mississippi Hawthorn
• Crataegus annosa – Phoenix City Hawthorn
• Crataegus apiomorpha – Fort Sheridan Hawthorn
• Crataegus arborea – Montgomery Hawthorn
• Crataegus arcana – Carolina Hawthorn
• Crataegus arrogans – Dixie Hawthorn
• Crataegus ater – Nashville Hawthorn
• Crataegus austromontana – Valley Head Hawthorn
• Crataegus azarolus – Azarole Hawthorn
• Crataegus crus-galli – Cockspur Thorn
• Crataegus cuneata – Japanese Hawthorn
• Crataegus douglassii – Black Hawthorn
• Crataegus intricata – Thicket Hawthorn
• Crataegus laevigata (syn. C. oxyacantha) – Midland Hawthorn
• Crataegus marshalli – Parsley-leaved Hawthorn
• Crataegus mollis – Downy Hawthorn, Red Hawthorn
• Crataegus monogyna – Common Hawthorn
• Crataegus nitida – Glossy Hawthorn
• Crataegus phaenopyrum – Washington Hawthorn
• Crataegus pruinosa – Frosted Hawthorn
• Crataegus punctata – Dotted Hawthorn
• Crataegus sanguinea – Redhaw Hawthorn
• Crataegus succulenta – Fleshy Hawthorn
• Crataegus stipulacea – Mexican Hawthorn
• Crataegus viridis – Winter King Hawthorn, Green Hawthorn
• etc.

External links

• Photos of Irish haw berries
• Photos of Chinese haw berries
• Key to Crataegus of Western North America
• Medicinal uses of Hawthorn in Armenia