Crataegus monogyna

The common hawthorn is a shrub or small tree 5–14 metres (15 to 45 feet) tall, with a dense crown. The bark is dull brown with vertical orange cracks. The younger stems bear sharp thorns, approximately 12.5 mm (half an inch) long. The leaves are 20 to 40 mm (1 to 1½ inches) long, obovate and deeply lobed, sometimes almost to the midrib, with the lobes spreading at a wide angle. The upper surface is dark green above and paler underneath.
The hermaphrodite flowers are produced in late spring (May to early June in its native area) in corymbs of 5–25 together; each flower is about 10 mm diameter, and has five white petals, numerous red stamens, and a single style; they are moderately fragrant. The flowers are pollinated by midges, bees and other insects and later in the year bear numerous haws. The haw is a small, oval dark red fruit about 10 mm long, berry-like, but structurally a pome containing a single seed. Haws are important for wildlife in winter, particularly thrushes and waxwings; these birds eat the haws and disperse the seeds in their droppings.
The common hawthorn is distinguished from the related but less widespread Midland hawthorn (C. laevigata) by its more upright growth, the leaves being deeply lobed, with spreading lobes, and in the flowers having just one style, not two or three. However they are inter-fertile and hybrids occur frequently; they are only entirely distinct in their more typical forms.


 

Common Hawthorn flowers




 

Common Hawthorn thorns, leaves, and stipules




 

Common Hawthorn fruit




 

Close-up




 

Bole of ancient hawthorn at Saint-Mars-sur-la-Futaie, France




 

General view of the Saint-Mars tree




 

Replacement of the Glastonbury or Holy Thorn cut down by vandals in 2010




 

The Hethel Old Thorn, Hethel




 

Crataegus monogyna in Joncret [fr], Belgium




 

Fruit containing a seed

Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

Crataegus Monogyna

Crataegus monogyna

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