Hawthorn Berry

Scientific Classification & Quick Facts

Common name	Hawthorn
Scientific name	Crataegus
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Tracheophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Rosales
Family	Rosaceae
Type	Small thorny tree or shrub
Habitat	Sunny woods and hillsides; well-drained soil
Native range	Temperate North America, Europe and Asia
Colours	Pink, white or red flower clusters
Flowering season	May
Height	5–15 m
Edible parts	Berries (haws), flowers and leaves

Hawthorn berry herb is also known as May Tree, White Thorn, Thorn Apple, and Hawberry. The Hawthorn berry is a small tree or shrub. Its fruit is used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Its leaves are also edible. Its flowers, berries, and leaves serve in the making of medicines. It is a fast-growing tree. An herbal tea is made from the flowers of hawthorn berry plants.

History

Hawthorn berries have been used in traditional medicine for a very long time, in places such as China and Europe. In Europe, hawthorn has often been planted as a hedge, because its thorny branches keep animals in or out. Hawthorn also appears in many old folk tales, and in Ireland and Britain people believed fairies lived near lone hawthorn trees. In the 1800s, American doctors began using hawthorn as a remedy for heart and circulation problems.

Anatomy

Hawthorns are shrubs or small trees that usually grow about 5 to 15 meters tall. They have smooth gray bark and branches with sharp thorns about 1 to 3 cm long. The leaves are often lobed and come in many shapes and sizes, depending on the species. In spring, hawthorn produces clusters of white, pink or red flowers, often in May, which is why it is sometimes called the May tree. The flowers are followed by small red fruits called haws, which look like berries but are actually tiny pomes, like miniature apples.

Habitat

There are hundreds of hawthorn species, found in temperate parts of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America. They grow at woodland edges, in hedges, on hillsides and in open countryside. In Mexico, the fruit of a local hawthorn, called tejocote, is eaten raw or cooked and is a traditional part of Christmas celebrations.

Soil

The Hawthorn berry plant prefers well drained and slightly acidic soil. It has the ability to tolerate alkaline soil and survives in most soil conditions. Full sunlight is ideal for the growth of the plant.

Planting

Water

Hawthorn is not a demanding plant. Water young plants regularly during their first year or two to keep the soil moist while their roots get established. Once established, hawthorn can cope with dry spells, though it still appreciates water during long droughts. It is native to temperate regions and grows well in cool to mild climates with plenty of sunshine.

Care

The plant requires good hygiene when growing. Watering late in a day is not good for them. For best care, the plant should be pruned to remove broken branches and also to shape them.

Pests and Disease

Hawthorn berry plant is affected by many diseases and pests. Leaf spot fungus produces small purple dots on the leaves of the plant. It turns leaves yellow and then they fall. Leaf rust also damages the leaves. Stem rust fungus affects the twigs, leaves and fruit of the plant. Aphids, Cankerworms and Gypsy Moth pests feed on the plant.

Uses

Hawthorn berries are used to make jams, jellies, syrups and sweets; in China they are made into a popular candy called haw flakes. The young leaves and flowers can also be eaten in small amounts. In traditional medicine, hawthorn has long been used for the heart and circulation, and scientists are still studying it. Hawthorn is also planted as a hedge and is a valuable plant for wildlife, since birds eat the berries and insects visit the flowers.

Related: Sea Buck Thorn

Hawthorn FAQs