Hawthorn
Hawthorn, a shrub or small tree of North America, Europe, and Asia. There are nearly 1,000 species, chiefly in North America. Most hawthorns are rather squat, thorny trees reaching 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 m) in height. The dense, crooked branches have shiny or hairy dark-green leaves that are often lobed or tooth-edged. Five-petaled pink, white, or rose-colored blossoms cover the trees in late spring. The small fruits are usually red or orange, but may be yellow, black, or blue.
Hawthorns often grow along roadsides and in pastures. Many species are grown as ornamental shrubs and hedges. The wood is sometimes used for canes, tools, handles, and rulers.
The downy hawthorn, or red haw, is found in the midwestern United States. It has short, thick thorns and heavy foliage and may reach a height of 40 feet (12 m). Its red fruit ripens in September. The cockspur thorn, another midwestern species, has long, slender thorns and red fruit. Other American species include the tall, roundish black haw of the western states and the smaller Washington thorn of the South. The English hawthorn, or may, is a spreading tree about 15 feet (4.5 m) tall with white flowers and red fruit.
The downy hawthorn is Crataegus mollis; cockspur, C. crusgalli; black, C. douglasii; Washington, C. phaenopyrum; English, C. laevigata. Hawthorns belong to the rose family, Rosaceae.