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''Crataegus monogyna'', known as common hawthorn, one-seed hawthorn, or single-seeded hawthorn, is a species of flowering plant 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, 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 Carl Linnaeus (; 23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), also known after his ennoblement in 1761 as Carl v ...
'', 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 taxonomy. Plant taxonomy is concerned with grouping and classifying plants; botanical nomenclature then provides names for the results of this ...
. Other common names include may, mayblossom, maythorn, (as the plant generally flowers in
May May is the fifth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and is the third of seven months to have a length of 31 days. May is a month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Therefore, Ma ...
in the English-speaking parts of Europe) quickthorn, whitethorn, motherdie, and haw.


Description

The common hawthorn is a shrub or small tree 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, e ...
is dull brown with vertical orange cracks. The younger stems bear sharp thorns, about long. The
leaves A leaf ( : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, ste ...
are long,
obovate The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular ...
, 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 taxonomic groups of animals (mostly invertebrates) do not have s ...
flowers are produced in late spring (May to early June in its native area) in
corymb Corymb is a botanical term for an inflorescence with the flowers growing in such a fashion that the outermost are borne on longer pedicels than the inner, bringing all flowers up to a common level. A corymb has a flattish top with a superficial re ...
s of 5–25 together; each flower is about 10 mm in diameter and has five white petals, numerous red stamens and a single style; they are moderately fragrant. The flowers are pollinated by midges, bees, and other insects, and later in the year bear numerous haws. The haw is a small, oval, dark red fruit 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 ...
containing a single seed. Haws are important for
wildlife Wildlife refers to undomesticated animal species, but has come to include all organisms that grow or live wild in an area without being introduced by humans. Wildlife was also synonymous to game: those birds and mammals that were hunted fo ...
in winter, particularly thrushes 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 eyestri ...
s; these birds eat the haws and disperse the seeds in their droppings. The common hawthorn is distinguished from the related but less widespread
Midland hawthorn ''Crataegus laevigata'', known as the Midland hawthorn, English hawthorn, woodland hawthorn, or mayflower, is a species of hawthorn native to western and central Europe, from Great Britain (where it is typically found in ancient woodland and ol ...
(''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. File:(MHNT) Crataegus monogyna - flowers and buds.jpg, Flowers File:Eenstijlige meidoorn (Crataegus monogyna branch).jpg File:Hawthorn fruit.JPG, Fruit (haws) File:Pink and brown (4627395373).jpg, Close-up File:Hawthorn St Mars.jpg, Bole of ancient specimen at
Saint-Mars-sur-la-Futaie Saint-Mars-sur-la-Futaie is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France. It is notable as the site of the oldest known tree in France, a Hawthorn growing alongside the church, and reputedly planted in the 3rd century. Image:H ...
, 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 Hethel is a small village in Norfolk, England, approximately southeast of the market town of Wymondham, and approximately south of the city of Norwich. According to the 2001 census, the Bracon Ash and Hethel parish covered an area of and ha ...
Old Thorn File:Joncret AR1cJPG.jpg, , Belgium File:Crataegus monogyna (subsp. monogyna) sl30.jpg, Fruit containing a seed


Uses


Food

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 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 ...
, 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. 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 Almond milk is a plant-based milk with a watery texture and nutty flavor manufactured from almonds, although some types or brands are flavored in imitation of cow's milk. It does not contain cholesterol or lactose and is low in saturated fat. Alm ...
-based
pottage Pottage or potage (, ; ) is a term for a thick soup or stew made by boiling vegetables, grains, and, if available, meat or fish. It was a staple food for many centuries. The word ''pottage'' comes from the same Old French root as ''potage'', wh ...
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 die ...
, .


Medicine

''C. monogyna'' is one of the most common species used as the "hawthorn" of traditional herbalism. 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 lubricants, ...
phytochemicals, especially extracts of hawthorn leaves with flowers.


Gardening and agriculture

Common hawthorn is extensively planted as a hedge plant, especially for
agricultural Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people ...
use. Its spines and close branching habit render it effectively livestock- and human-proof, with some basic maintenance. The traditional practice of
hedge laying Hedgelaying (or hedge laying) is a countryside skill that has been practised for centuries, mainly in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with many regional variations in style and technique. Hedgelaying is the process of partially cutting throug ...
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 cultivars 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, 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 ...
and vampires. Hawthorn was believed by some to have the ability to inhibit intruding supernatural forces, and was also thought to be sacred in nature due to an association between the hawthorn bush and the
crown of thorns According to the New Testament, a woven crown of thorns ( or grc, ἀκάνθινος στέφανος, akanthinos stephanos, label=none) was placed on the head of Jesus during the events leading up to his crucifixion. It was one of the inst ...
that, according to the New Testament, was placed on Jesus. 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 Bohe ...
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, H ...
, stakes made of hawthorn or
blackthorn ''Prunus spinosa'', called blackthorn or sloe, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family Rosaceae. The species is native to Europe, western Asia, and regionally in northwest Africa. It is locally naturalized in New Zealand, Tasmania, ...
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. 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 Joseph of Arimathea was, according to all four canonical gospels, the man who assumed responsibility for the burial of Jesus after his crucifixion. The historical location of Arimathea is uncertain, although it has been identified with several ...
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, 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, 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 Hethel is a small village in Norfolk, England, approximately southeast of the market town of Wymondham, and approximately south of the city of Norwich. According to the 2001 census, the Bracon Ash and Hethel parish covered an area of and ha ...
, 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''. * Folklore about hawthorns, primarily the European species ''C. laevigata'' and/or ''C. monogyna'' and hybrids between the two * Haweater * List of Lepidoptera that feed on hawthorns


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
{{Taxonbar, from=Q161511 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