Hawthorn

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Hawthorn, common name for any of a genus of small trees of the rose family. Hawthorns are native to temperate regions and are widely cultivated in the form of hedges. They have dense, sharply thorned branches; single, irregularly toothed leaves that turn to brilliant colors in autumn; tiny, red fruits even throughout the winter; and fragrant, white flowers borne in clusters. The best-known species is the English hawthorn, also called the mayflower. Species native to the United States include the Washington hawthorn, found in the southern states, and the cockspur hawthorn, an eastern species with shiny leaves and long thorns. The genus includes about 20 species in Eurasia and more than 100 in North America. Many of the latter are believed to be hybrids.


Scientific classification: Hawthorns belong to the family Rosaceae. The English hawthorn is classified as Crataegus laevigata, the Washington hawthorn as Crataegus phaenopyrum, and the cockspur hawthorn as Crataegus crus-galli.

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