Crataegus is a genus of around 200 shrubs and small trees, native to most of the Northern Hemisphere. These trees have many common names but are known most commonly in the US as hawthorns, after their extremely long, sharp thorns. They belong to the family Rosaceae along with many other cultivated plants like stonefruits, apples, pears, and roses.
In most ways, they greatly resemble crabapples of the genus Malus, though most (but not all) species can be easily distinguished by their lobed leaves--and sharp thorns.
The most common species I have seen locally is C. phaenopyrum, the Washington hawthorn, but there are surely others as well. They can be difficult to separate to species.
C. phaenopyrum is a tough little tree that grows well in most environments, though it needs irrigation in our area. The fruits hang on the tree through most of winter, providing a late season food source for birds and bringing some nice color to our often gray holiday season. They are also edible, though a little seedy, and are supposedly good for heart health. It is a nice little tree, provided the thorns are not a deal-breaker.
In most ways, they greatly resemble crabapples of the genus Malus, though most (but not all) species can be easily distinguished by their lobed leaves--and sharp thorns.
The most common species I have seen locally is C. phaenopyrum, the Washington hawthorn, but there are surely others as well. They can be difficult to separate to species.
C. phaenopyrum is a tough little tree that grows well in most environments, though it needs irrigation in our area. The fruits hang on the tree through most of winter, providing a late season food source for birds and bringing some nice color to our often gray holiday season. They are also edible, though a little seedy, and are supposedly good for heart health. It is a nice little tree, provided the thorns are not a deal-breaker.