Crataegus

Crataegus, commonly known as Hawthorn, is a large genus of shrubs and trees in the family Rosaceae. They are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia, and North America. The name "hawthorn" was originally applied to the species native to northern Europe, especially the common hawthorn C. monogyna, but is now also applied to the entire genus.

Description

Crataegus species are shrubs or small trees, mostly growing to 5–15 m tall, with small pome fruit and (usually) thorny branches. The most common type, the common hawthorn, is a shrub or small tree 5–14 m tall, with a dense crown. The bark is dull brown with vertical orange cracks. The younger stems bear sharp thorns, approximately 12.5mm long. The leaves are 20–40mm 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.

Uses

Crataegus species are used as food plants by the larvae of a large number of Lepidoptera species. Several species are cultivated as ornamental plants for their beautiful flowers, and are used for traditional medicine. The fruits, which are sometimes called haws, are edible and are used to make jam, jelly, and beverages.

Medical Uses

In traditional medicine, Crataegus species have been used to treat heart disease, digestive problems, and respiratory illnesses. Modern scientific studies have found evidence to support some of these uses. For example, some studies have found that hawthorn can improve symptoms of heart failure.

See Also

• Rosaceae
• Traditional medicine
• Heart disease
• Digestive problems
• Respiratory illnesses

References

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