''Crataegus monogyna'', known as common hawthorn, one-seed hawthorn, or single-seeded hawthorn, is a species of
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...
in the rose family
Rosaceae
Rosaceae (), the rose family, is a medium-sized family of flowering plants that includes 4,828 known species in 91 genera.
The name is derived from the type genus ''Rosa''. Among the most species-rich genera are ''Alchemilla'' (270), ''Sorbus ...
. It is native to Europe, northwestern Africa, and
West Asia
Western Asia, West Asia, or Southwest Asia, is the westernmost subregion of the larger geographical region of Asia, as defined by some academics, UN bodies and other institutions. It is almost entirely a part of the Middle East, and includes Ana ...
, but has been introduced in many other parts of the world.
Names
This species is one of several that have been referred to as ''
Crataegus oxyacantha
The name ''Crataegus oxyacantha'' L. has been rejected as being of uncertain application, but is sometimes still used.
Taxonomy
Linnaeus introduced the name ''Crataegus oxyacantha'' for a species of Northern European hawthorn and the name graduall ...
'', a name that has been rejected by the botanical community as too ambiguous. In 1793,
Medikus published the name ''C. apiifolia'' for a European hawthorn now included in ''C. monogyna,'' but that name is
illegitimate under the rules of
botanical nomenclature
Botanical nomenclature is the formal, scientific naming of plants. It is related to, but distinct from Alpha taxonomy, taxonomy. Plant taxonomy is concerned with grouping and classifying plants; botanical nomenclature then provides names for the ...
.
Other common names include may, mayblossom, maythorn, (as the plant generally flowers in May) quickthorn, whitethorn, motherdie, and haw.
Description
The common hawthorn is a
shrub
A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees ...
or small
tree
In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are ...
up to about tall,
with a dense crown. The
bark
Bark may refer to:
* Bark (botany), an outer layer of a woody plant such as a tree or stick
* Bark (sound), a vocalization of some animals (which is commonly the dog)
Places
* Bark, Germany
* Bark, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland
Arts, ...
is dull brown with vertical orange cracks. The younger stems bear sharp thorns, about long. The
leaves
A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...
are 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
In reproductive biology, a hermaphrodite () is an organism that has both kinds of reproductive organs and can produce both gametes associated with male and female sexes.
Many Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic groups of animals (mostly invertebrate ...
flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Angiospermae). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechani ...
s are produced in late spring (May to early June in its native area) in
corymbs of 5–25 together; numerous red stamens and a single style; they are moderately fragrant. The flowers are white, frequently pink
pollinated by
midge
A midge is any small fly, including species in several families of non-mosquito Nematoceran Diptera. Midges are found (seasonally or otherwise) on practically every land area outside permanently arid deserts and the frigid zones. Some mid ...
s, bees, and other insects, and later in the year bear numerous haws. The haw is a small, oval, dark red
fruit
In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants that is formed from the ovary after flowering.
Fruits are the means by which flowering plants (also known as angiosperms) disseminate their seeds. Edible fruits in particu ...
about 10 mm long,
berry
A berry is a small, pulpy, and often edible fruit. Typically, berries are juicy, rounded, brightly colored, sweet, sour or tart, and do not have a stone or pit, although many pips or seeds may be present. Common examples are strawberries, raspb ...
-like, but structurally a
pome
In botany, a pome is a type of fruit produced by flowering plants in the subtribe Malinae of the family Rosaceae. Well-known pomes include the apple, pear, and quince.
Etymology
The word ''pome'' entered English in the late 14th century, and re ...
containing a single
seed
A seed is an embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering, along with a food reserve. The formation of the seed is a part of the process of reproduction in seed plants, the spermatophytes, including the gymnosperm and angiospe ...
. Haws are important for
wildlife
Wildlife refers to domestication, undomesticated animal species (biology), species, but has come to include all organisms that grow or live wilderness, wild in an area without being species, introduced by humans. Wildlife was also synonymous ...
in winter, particularly
thrushes
The thrushes are a passerine bird family, Turdidae, with a worldwide distribution. The family was once much larger before biologists reclassified the former subfamily Saxicolinae, which includes the chats and European robins, as Old World flycat ...
and
waxwing
The waxwings are three species of passerine birds classified in the genus ''Bombycilla''. They are pinkish-brown and pale grey with distinctive smooth plumage in which many body feathers are not individually visible, a black and white eyestripe, ...
s; these birds eat the haws and disperse the
seed
A seed is an embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering, along with a food reserve. The formation of the seed is a part of the process of reproduction in seed plants, the spermatophytes, including the gymnosperm and angiospe ...
s 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. They are interfertile, however, so hybrids occur frequently; they are only entirely distinct in their more typical forms. Sprawling areas of thorns at the base of the Crataegus monogyna tree are safe shelters for the
Tortoise
Tortoises () are reptiles of the family Testudinidae of the order Testudines (Latin: ''tortoise''). Like other turtles, tortoises have a turtle shell, shell to protect from predation and other threats. The shell in tortoises is generally hard, ...
.
File:(MHNT) Crataegus monogyna - flowers and buds.jpg, Flowers
File:Eenstijlige meidoorn (Crataegus monogyna branch).jpg
File:Common hawthorn.jpg, Flowers
File:Pink and brown (4627395373).jpg, Close-up
File:Hawthorn St Mars.jpg, Bole of ancient specimen at Saint-Mars-sur-la-Futaie, France
File:Hawthorn St Mars 2.jpg, General view of the Saint-Mars tree
File:The Holy Thorn, Glastonbury Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 217631.jpg, Replacement of the Glastonbury or Holy Thorn cut down by vandals in 2010
File:Hethel Thorn, Hethel - geograph.org.uk - 44746.jpg, The Hethel Old Thorn
File:Joncret AR1cJPG.jpg, , Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
File:Crataegus monogyna (subsp. monogyna) sl30.jpg, Fruit containing a seed
File:Ripon Parks 4 June 2023 (50).JPG, Pink may on farmland in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is the largest ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county (lieutenancy area) in England, covering an area of . Around 40% of the county is covered by National parks of the United Kingdom, national parks, including most of ...
, England
Distribution
Ireland and Britain The mountains are very young in the
Eastern Anatolian region of
Turkey
Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...
. Therefore, the trees in the region multiply with seeds. Due to excessive animal grazing in the area, new shoots of vulnerable ''Crataegus monogyna'' trees in the open field are eaten by animals. This does not allow them to grow and causes them to take a horizontally irregular shape on the ground.
Uses
Food
Fruits
The fruit of hawthorn, called haws, are edible raw, but are commonly made into jellies, jams, syrups, or wine, or to add flavour to brandy. Botanically, they are
pomes, but they look similar to berries. A haw is small and oblong, similar in size and shape to a small olive or grape, and red when ripe. The haws develop in groups of two or three along smaller branches. They are pulpy and delicate in taste. In this species (''C. monogyna''), they have only one seed, but other species of hawthorn may have up to five seeds.
Petals
The petals are also edible, as are the leaves, which if picked in spring when still young are tender enough to be used in salads. Hawthorn petals are used in the medieval English recipe for spinee, an
almond milk-based
pottage recorded in '
The Forme of Cury' by the Chief Master-Cook of King
Richard II
Richard II (6 January 1367 – ), also known as Richard of Bordeaux, was King of England from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. He was the son of Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales, and Joan, Countess of Kent. Richard's father died ...
, .
Medicine
''C. monogyna'' is one of the most common species used as the "hawthorn" of traditional
herbalism
Herbal medicine (also herbalism) is the study of pharmacognosy and the use of medicinal plants, which are a basis of traditional medicine. With worldwide research into pharmacology, some herbal medicines have been translated into modern reme ...
. The plant parts used are usually sprigs with both leaves and flowers, or alternatively the fruit ("berries").
Hawthorn has been investigated by
evidence-based medicine
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is "the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients". The aim of EBM is to integrate the experience of the clinician, the values of t ...
for treating cardiac insufficiency.
''C. monogyna'' is a source of
antioxidant
Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals. This can lead to polymerization and other chain reactions. They are frequently added to industrial products, such as fuels and lubricant ...
phytochemicals
Phytochemicals are chemical compounds produced by plants, generally to help them resist fungi, bacteria and plant virus infections, and also consumption by insects and other animals. The name comes . Some phytochemicals have been used as poison ...
, especially extracts of hawthorn leaves with flowers.
Gardening and agriculture
Common hawthorn is extensively planted as a
hedge
A hedge or hedgerow is a line of closely spaced shrubs and sometimes trees, planted and trained to form a barrier or to mark the boundary of an area, such as between neighbouring properties. Hedges that are used to separate a road from adjoini ...
plant, especially for
agricultural
Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating Plant, plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of Sedentism, sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of Domestication, domesticated species created food ...
use. Its spines and close branching habit render it effectively livestock- and human-proof, with some basic maintenance. The traditional practice of
hedge laying is most commonly practised with this species. It is a good
fire wood
Firewood is any wooden material that is gathered and used for fuel. Generally, firewood is not highly processed and is in some sort of recognizable log or branch form, compared to other forms of wood fuel like pellets or chips. Firewood can ...
, which burns with a good heat and little smoke.
Numerous
hybrid
Hybrid may refer to:
Science
* Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding
** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species
** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...
s exist, some of which are used as garden shrubs. The most widely used hybrid is ''
C. × media'' (''C. monogyna'' × ''C. laevigata''), of which several
cultivar
A cultivar is a type of cultivated plant that people have selected for desired traits and when propagated retain those traits. Methods used to propagate cultivars include: division, root and stem cuttings, offsets, grafting, tissue culture, ...
s are known, including the very popular 'Paul's Scarlet' with dark pink double flowers. Other garden shrubs that have sometimes been suggested as possible hybrids involving the common hawthorn, include the
various-leaved hawthorn of the
Caucasus
The Caucasus () or Caucasia (), is a region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, mainly comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of Southern Russia. The Caucasus Mountains, including the Greater Caucasus range, have historically ...
, which is only very occasionally found in parks and gardens.
Culture
In pre-modern Europe, hawthorn was used as a symbol of hope, and also as a charm against
witchcraft
Witchcraft traditionally means the use of magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have us ...
and
vampire
A vampire is a mythical creature that subsists by feeding on the Vitalism, vital essence (generally in the form of blood) of the living. In European folklore, vampires are undead, undead creatures that often visited loved ones and caused mi ...
s. Hawthorn was believed by some to have the ability to inhibit intruding
supernatural
Supernatural refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin (above, beyond, or outside of) + (nature) Though the corollary term "nature", has had multiple meanings si ...
forces, and was also thought to be sacred in nature due to an association between the hawthorn bush and the
crown of thorns that, according to the
New Testament
The New Testament grc, Ἡ Καινὴ Διαθήκη, transl. ; la, Novum Testamentum. (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christ ...
, was placed on
Jesus
Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
.
As protection against witchcraft, hawthorn was sometimes placed in the cradles of infants, or around houses and doorways. The Greeks reportedly placed pieces of hawthorn in
casement window
A casement window is a window that is attached to its frame by one or more hinges at the side. They are used singly or in pairs within a common frame, in which case they are hinged on the outside. Casement windows are often held open using a cas ...
s to prevent witches from entering houses, while
Bohemia
Bohemia ( ; cs, Čechy ; ; hsb, Čěska; szl, Czechy) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. Bohemia can also refer to a wider area consisting of the historical Lands of the Bohemian Crown ruled by the Bohem ...
ns placed hawthorn on the thresholds of
cow house
A barn is an agricultural building usually on farms and used for various purposes. In North America, a barn refers to structures that house livestock, including cattle and horses, as well as equipment and fodder, and often grain.Allen G. N ...
s for the same purpose. Hawthorn was sometimes placed on the coffin of a deceased person, on top of the person's corpse, or in the corpse's sock. In Bosnia, women would sometimes place a piece of hawthorn behind the headcloth of a recently deceased person, and then throw away the remaining twig on their way home. If the deceased person was a vampire, it would focus its attention on the hawthorn instead of following the woman home. Among the
South Slavs
South Slavs are Slavic peoples who speak South Slavic languages and inhabit a contiguous region of Southeast Europe comprising the eastern Alps and the Balkan Peninsula. Geographically separated from the West Slavs and East Slavs by Austria, Hu ...
, stakes made of hawthorn or
blackthorn wood were considered effective in impaling vampires.
Notable trees
An ancient specimen, and reputedly the oldest tree of any species in France, is to be found alongside the church at
Saint Mars sur la Futaie,
Mayenne
Mayenne () is a landlocked department in northwest France named after the river Mayenne. Mayenne is part of the administrative region of Pays de la Loire and is surrounded by the departments of Manche, Orne, Sarthe, Maine-et-Loire, and Ille-et ...
. As of 2009, the tree had a height of and a girth of . The inscription on the plaque beneath reads: "This hawthorn is probably the oldest tree in France. Its origin goes back to
St Julien (third century)"; such claims are impossible to verify.
A famous specimen in England was the
Glastonbury or Holy Thorn which, according to legend, sprouted from the staff of
Joseph of Arimathea after he thrust it into the ground while visiting Glastonbury in the first century AD. The tree was noteworthy because it flowered twice in a year, once in the late spring which is normal, but also once after the harshness of midwinter had passed. The original tree at Glastonbury Abbey, felled in the 1640s during the
English Civil War
The English Civil War (1642–1651) was a series of civil wars and political machinations between Parliamentarians (" Roundheads") and Royalists led by Charles I ("Cavaliers"), mainly over the manner of England's governance and issues of re ...
,
has been propagated as the cultivar 'Biflora'.
[Phipps, J.B.; O’Kennon, R.J.; Lance, R.W. 2003. ''Hawthorns and medlars''. Royal Horticultural Society, Cambridge, U.K.] A replacement was planted by the local council in 1951, but was cut down by vandals in 2010.
The oldest known living specimen in
East Anglia
East Anglia is an area in the East of England, often defined as including the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the East Angles, a people whose name originated in Anglia, in ...
, and possibly in the United Kingdom, is known as the
Hethel Old Thorn
Hethel Old Thorn is a nature reserve south-west of Norwich in Norfolk. It is managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
This is the smallest wildlife trust nature reserve in Britain, consisting of one ancient hawthorn
Hawthorn or Hawthorns may ref ...
,
and is located in the churchyard in the small village of
Hethel, south of Norwich, in Norfolk, UK. It is reputed to be more than 700 years old, having been planted in the 13th century.
See also
* The hawthorn button-top gall on hawthorn is caused by the dipteran gall-midge ''
Dasineura crataegi
''Dasineura crataegi'', the hawthorn button-top gall-midge, is a dipteran gall-midge. It causes the hawthorn button-top gall, which develops in the terminal shoots of common hawthorn, ''Crataegus monogyna'' Jacq., Midland hawthorn '' C laevigata ...
''.
*
Folklore
Folklore is shared by a particular group of people; it encompasses the traditions common to that culture, subculture or group. This includes oral traditions such as tales, legends, proverbs and jokes. They include material culture, ranging ...
about hawthorns, primarily the European species ''C. laevigata'' and/or ''C. monogyna'' and hybrids between the two
*
Haweater
References
Further reading
*
External links
* Philips, R. (1978)
''Trees of North America and Europe''. New York: Random House. .
* Kheloufi, A., Mansouri, L. M., & Vanbellinghen, C. (2019)
"Seed germination of ''Crataegus monogyna''—a species with a stony endocarp" ''Reforesta'' (7), 73–80.
* Bahorun, Theeshan, et al. (2003)
"Phenolic constituents and antioxidant capacities of ''Crataegus monogyna'' (Hawthorn) callus extracts" ''Food/Nahrung'' 47.3 (2003): 191–198.
(photographs of a number of such trees, including Hethel Old Thorn)
*
''Crataegus monogyna'' at Flora Iberica
{{Authority control
monogyna
Flora of North Africa
Flora of Western Asia
Trees of Europe
Trees of Mediterranean climate
Trees of Asia
Garden plants of Europe
Garden plants of Asia
Medicinal plants of Africa
Medicinal plants of Asia
Medicinal plants of Europe
Ornamental trees
Taxa named by Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin