Hawthorn trees ( genus Crataegus ) , commonly called hawthorn , quickthorn , thornapple , May - Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , whitethorn , Mayflower or hawberry , is a genus of several hundred species of shrub and tree in the family Rosaceae , native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe , Asia , North Africa and North America .

The name “ haw ” was originally applied to the species aboriginal to northern Europe , specially the   mutual hawthorn   C.   monogyna , and the unmodified name is often so used in Britain and Ireland . The name is now also utilise to the entire genus and to the link up Asiatic genus   Rhaphiolepis .

Ancient Greeks and Romans were aware of the medicinal properties of hawthorn . Dioscorides , a Greek doc in the first century AD , mention hawthorn in his formulary De Materia Medica , though it was less about the substance and more for other ailments .

Hawthorn trees are small to average - sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , often characterize by their setaceous branches , hence the name . They have lobed or serrate leaves , and in leaping , they flower with clusters of white-hot or sometimes pinkish blossom , which are followed by red fruit known as “ haw . ” The haws are berry - like but structurally are pomes , similar to apples . They ’re edible , though the taste can vary from sweet to quite tart or mealy , look on the species .

in general , hawthorn trees have a slow to restrained growth rate . Under optimum condition , they might grow about 12 to 24 inch ( 30 to 61 cm ) per twelvemonth . However , this can vary significantly with species , clime , soil quality , and concern . Younger trees might produce faster ab initio as they establish their ascendent scheme and reach for light . Once established , the maturation pace often slows down .

Hawthorn trees can live for quite a long time . On middling , a well - cared - for hawthorn might hold out between 50 to 150 years . However , there are records of hawthorn trees living even longer under ideal conditions . Some specie or cultivars might have different life expectancies . The lifespan can be influenced by environmental stressors like pollution , disease , pests , grunge quality , and urban weather . Trees in less disturbed , rural , or well - maintained environments be given to dwell longer .

hawthorn can be susceptible to certain disease like ardour blight , folio blight , and pests like aphids or caterpillars , which can involve their wellness and seniority if not manage . Most hawthorn coinage are hardy in USDA zone 4 through 8 , with some species and cultivars being able-bodied to handle condition more or less outside this reach .

Factors shape suitableness

Species of Hawthorn Trees (Crataegus)

Crataegus monogyna – Common Hawthorn

genus Crataegus laevigata – Midland Hawthorn

Crataegus phaenopyrum – Washington Hawthorn

genus Crataegus crus - galli – Cockspur Hawthorn

genus Crataegus mollis – Downy Hawthorn

Crataegus douglasii – Black Hawthorn

genus Crataegus pinnatifida – Formosan Hawthorn

Crataegus viridis – Green Hawthorn

genus Crataegus azarolus – Azarole Hawthorn

Crataegus cuneata – Nipponese Hawthorn

genus Crataegus punctata – Dotted Hawthorn

Crataegus marshallii – Parsley Hawthorn

genus Crataegus rhipidophylla

Crataegus pedicellata – Scarlet Hawthorn