Crataegus monogyna – Common Hawthorn

Hawthorn is Native to most of Europe including the British Isles and Ireland. It is common on unmanaged grounds like roadsides as its seeds are carried by birds and distributed widely. It is particularly abundant in drier, chalk and limestone habitats.

The common Hawthorn is a rather small deciduous tree or hedgerow shrub. It can grow on a single bole or be multi-stemmed with a spreading crown. Its bark is grayish-brown and normally consists of quite regular vertical fissures. Its branches and twigs are very densely packed and can be quite pointy, but numerous sharp spines.

  Hawthorn leaves are roughly ovate and deeply lobed, usually with three segments. Each lobe is pointed with a few small teeth near the apex. Its leaves are quite tough, appearing dark green on the upper layer and a lighter green on the under layer.

  It flowers in the late spring, in clusters of 8-10 white and sometimes pink tinged flowers. When growing in an open space Hawthorns can flower prolifically and produce a powerful fragrance.

Its fruits (Haws) are bright red, sometimes darkening to a deep red. They are normally round or ovate, containing a hard cased seed.