description
Crataegus laevigata, a member of the Rosaceae family, is a large shrub or
small tree growing to 8 m (rarely to 12 m) tall, with a dense crown. The
leaves are 2–6 cm long and 2–5 cm broad, with 2–3 shallow, forward-pointing
lobes on each side of the leaf. The hermaphrodite flowers are produced in
corymbs of 6–12, each flower with five white or pale pink petals and two or
three styles, can have a fetid scent, and are pollinated by midges. The
fruit is a dark red pome 6–10 mm diameter, slightly broader than long,
containing 2–3 nutlets. It is distinguished from the related common
hawthorn, C. monogyna, in the leaves being only shallowly lobed, with
forward-pointing lobes, and in the flowers having more than one style,
however hybrids occur frequently.
common names & nomenclature
The common name for hawthorn comes from haw, which is an old English word for "hedge." The tree’s name means "thorny hedge”.
Also known as:
midland hawthorn, English hawthorn, woodland hawthorn, mayflower