Hawthorn
Crataegus, family Rosaceae
A thorny shrub or tree with white or pink spring flowers and small edible fruits
Hawthorn is a genus of shrubs and small trees found across temperate regions of Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. Its thorny branches, white or pink clustered flowers, and small red fruits are valued for food, hedges, and traditional medicine, and it holds a place in folklore and seasonal customs.
- Hawthorn flowers are most often white but can be pink or scarlet.
- The fruit, called a haw, is edible and used in jellies, candies, and drinks.
- Hawthorn is a classic hedge plant in Europe and supports wildlife.
- Branches are used for May Day decorations and in wedding customs.
- Traditional medicine uses hawthorn for heart and digestive health.
What does Hawthorn look like?
Hawthorns are shrubs or small trees, usually 5–15 meters tall, with thorny branches and smooth grey bark that becomes ridged with age. Their leaves are lobed or serrated and grow in clusters. In spring, they produce flat-topped clusters of five-petalled flowers, most often white but sometimes pink or scarlet. The small, berry-like fruits, called haws, are red or black and contain several hard stones.
Where does Hawthorn come from?
Crataegus is native to temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. The genus likely first appeared in the Eocene period, with early fossils found in North America and later in Europe. The name 'hawthorn' originally referred to species in northern Europe, especially the common hawthorn, but now covers the whole genus.
When and how Hawthorn blooms
Hawthorns bloom in spring, with flowers appearing in flat clusters. They grow from seed, though germination is slow and often requires a period of cold. Some are propagated by transplanting young plants or suckers from the wild, and rarer forms are grafted onto other hawthorn seedlings. They thrive in temperate climates and are often used as hedges or street trees.
How Hawthorn is used
People use hawthorn for its edible fruits, which are made into jellies, wines, candies, and snacks in various countries. The young leaves and buds are eaten in salads in England. The plant is also used in traditional medicine, especially for heart and digestive health. Hawthorn branches are used for May Day decorations and in wedding customs, and the tree is valued for wildlife and as a hedge.
Kinds of Hawthorn
There are about 200–264 species of hawthorn, with many hybrids and cultivated varieties. Notable species include the common hawthorn (C. monogyna), Chinese hawthorn (C. pinnatifida), and Mexican hawthorn (C. mexicana). Some cultivars are chosen for their pink or red flowers, and hybrids are grown for ornamental use or fruit.
What Hawthorn means
Hawthorn is linked to hope and spring in European folklore. Its branches are used for May Day celebrations, and it features in legends such as the Glastonbury thorn. In Mexico, its fruit is part of Christmas traditions. The tree is also associated with wedding rituals in ancient Greece and is sometimes linked to Christian legends about the crown of thorns.
Where Hawthorn is used and seen
Days and festivals
Questions people ask about Hawthorn
Where does hawthorn come from?
Hawthorn is native to temperate regions across Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. Fossil records show it first appeared in North America and later in Europe.
What does hawthorn look like?
Hawthorn is a shrub or small tree with thorny branches, lobed leaves, and clusters of five-petalled flowers, usually white but sometimes pink or scarlet. Its small red or black fruits are called haws.
How is hawthorn used?
People eat the fruits fresh or in jellies, candies, and drinks. Young leaves and buds are eaten in salads, and the plant is used in traditional medicine. It is also planted as a hedge and used in seasonal decorations.
What does hawthorn symbolise?
Hawthorn is seen as a symbol of hope and spring in European folklore. It is used in May Day celebrations and wedding customs, and is linked to several legends.
Is hawthorn important for wildlife?
Yes, hawthorn provides food and shelter for birds and insects. Its fruits are eaten by birds like thrushes and waxwings, which help spread its seeds.
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- Top 10 plants for birdsBBC Gardeners' World, Article
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Crataegus", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
Others in the family Rosaceae
The whole family
RoseRosa
Woody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many colours
Rosa · Wildflower
PeachPrunus persica
A flowering fruit tree from China, grown for its pink blossoms and sweet fruit
🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Flowering tree
AlmondPrunus amygdalus
A Mediterranean tree grown for its fragrant spring flowers and edible seeds
🇮🇷 Iran and 6 more · Flowering tree
ApricotPrunus armeniaca
A small fruit tree with early white to pink blossoms and golden-orange fruit
🇨🇳 China and 6 more · Flowering tree
More from Ireland
All the flowers of Ireland
Common flaxLinum usitatissimum
The slender blue-flowered plant grown for linen and linseed
🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower
Lily-of-the-valleyConvallaria majalis
A woodland plant with sweet-scented white bell flowers in late spring
🇫🇮 Finland and 4 more · Wildflower
RapeseedBrassica napus
A yellow-flowered crop grown for its oil-rich seeds and protein meal
🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower
BlackthornPrunus spinosa
A spiny shrub with white spring flowers and tart blue-black fruit
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 7 more · Wildflower