English Hawthorn, May Thorn
Crataegus monogyna

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A small deciduous tree. It can grow to 9-14 m tall. The bark is greyish-brown with many small scales. The leaves are alternate. They are 2-3 cm long. The leaves have 5-7 jagged lobes. They turn yellow-brown in autumn. There are a pair of leafy growths near the base of each leaf. The thorns are short 1-2 cm. They are grey and straight. The flowers are single and red, pink or white. They have a scent. The fruit are small and red. It has a single style and fruit stone. The fruit are 6-8 mm across.

There are 200 or more Crataegus species. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to Europe. In Chile it grows from sea level to 2,000 m altitude. It grows in areas with regular rain. It grows in full sun. It grows in the Sahara. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. It can tolerate frost and snow. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Europe, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Scandinavia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten raw or made into jellies which are rich in Vitamin C. They are also ground into flour. The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. The young leaves are added to tossed salads. The young buds are used in spring puddings. The flowers are mixed with sugar and brandy and made into a liqueur. They are also used in syrups and sweet puddings. Dried leaves are used for tea.

Fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, flowers, leaves - tea, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The seed need cold treatment before they will germinate. Plants can also be grafted.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Alic, Aluc, Arc, Biancospino, Bossu, Calabriche, Common Hawthorn, Dara givij, Digdigan, Enovrati glog, Espinero, Espino albar, Galaginya, Galagonya, Geyikdikeni, Givij izaran, Glog, Gloginja, Gloginje, Gogic, Guhij, Guhujsor, Hagton, Hedgerow Thorn, Hloh, Istengyumolcs, Istengyumolcsfa, Kirmizi alic, Majoleto, Majuelo, Majueta, Meidoom, Morrisi, Murrisi, Okuzgotu, One-seeded hawthorn, Paducel, Peumo alemain, Quickthorn Haw, Singleseed Hawthorn, Sipka, Yemisen

Synonyms

Crataegus aegeica Pojark; Crataegus alemanniensis Cinovskis; and several others