# Hawthorn (*Trachysmia inopiana Hawthorn*) The Hawthorn is a lovely tree with beautiful flowers in spring. It has sharp thorns that protect it from animals. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Woodlands and hedgerows - **Also known as:** Crataegus, English Hawthorn, Hawthorn Tree, May Tree, Mayflower, Quickthorn, common hawthorn, hawthorns, midland hawthorn ![Hawthorn](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425777/objects/4872.jpg) ## Appearance The Hawthorn is a small, thorny tree, often with gnarled branches. It displays clusters of white or pale pink flowers in spring, followed by bright red, berry-like fruits (haws) in autumn. Its distinctive lobed leaves are a vibrant green. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida ## Interesting facts - Ancient cultures used Hawthorn parts to make medicines for a strong, healthy heart! - Hawthorn can regrow from its base, making it a super tough survivor! - Hawthorn hedges were planted to mark farm boundaries for hundreds of years! - Old legends say Hawthorn trees are enchanted and shelter magical fairies! ## Special abilities - **Thorn Armor:** Hawthorn has sharp, woody thorns that protect its branches and leaves from hungry browsers, helping it defend itself. - **Berry Bounty:** Hawthorn produces abundant red berries that attract birds, which then spread its seeds far and wide, aiding reproduction. - **Spring Scent Signal:** Hawthorn releases a strong, sweet scent from its flowers to attract insects like bees and flies, ensuring successful pollination. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 2-12 m - **Spread:** 2-8 m - **Edible:** Yes - **Size:** 15-50 cm - **Lifespan:** 50-200 years - **Fruit Type:** Pome - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Blackbird (*Turdus merula*) — Feeds on sweet hawthorn berries in autumn and winter. - **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Visits hawthorn flowers, collecting nectar and spreading pollen. - **Eats:** Lackey Moth (*Malacosoma neustria*) — Caterpillars feed on hawthorn leaves, sometimes in large groups. - **Shelter:** [Dunnock](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dunnock) (*Prunella modularis*) — Nests within dense hawthorn hedges, protected by thorns. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Thorny Stem](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thorny-stem): Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hawthorn? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Hawthorn? 2-12 m ### How wide does Hawthorn spread? 2-8 m ### Is Hawthorn edible? Yes ### How big is Hawthorn? 15-50 cm ### How long does Hawthorn live? 50-200 years ### Where is Hawthorn usually found? Woodlands and hedgerows ### What kind of fruit does Hawthorn produce? Pome ## Where to spot - [McGee Creek State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mcgee-creek-state-park) — Oklahoma, US · State Park - [Meadows Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/meadows-park) — California, US · Park - [Stadtpark Rotehorn (Magdeburg)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stadtpark-rotehorn-magdeburg) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Park [View all places to see Hawthorn](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hawthorn) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Hawthorn: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hawthorn)