Hawthorn
Hawthorn, common name for any of a genus of small trees of the rose family. Hawthorns are native to temperate regions and are widely cultivated in the form of hedges. Many have dense, sharp-thorned branches; simple, irregularly toothed leaves that turn brilliant colours in autumn; tiny, red fruits even throughout the winter; and fragrant, white flowers borne in clusters. The best-known species is the common hawthorn, also called may or mayflower. Cockspur hawthorn, a species of the eastern United States, has shiny leaves and long thorns. It is cultivated elsewhere for ornament. The genus includes about 20 species in Eurasia and more than 100 in North America. Many of the latter are believed to be of hybrid origin.
Scientific classification: Hawthorns belong to the family Rosaceae. The common hawthorn is classified as Crataegus monogyna, and the cockspur hawthorn as Crataegus crus-galli.
Hawthorn, common name for any of a genus of small trees of the rose family. Hawthorns are native to temperate regions and are widely cultivated in the form of hedges. Many have dense, sharp-thorned branches; simple, irregularly toothed leaves that turn brilliant colours in autumn; tiny, red fruits even throughout the winter; and fragrant, white flowers borne in clusters. The best-known species is the common hawthorn, also called may or mayflower. Cockspur hawthorn, a species of the eastern United States, has shiny leaves and long thorns. It is cultivated elsewhere for ornament. The genus includes about 20 species in Eurasia and more than 100 in North America. Many of the latter are believed to be of hybrid origin. Scientific classification: Hawthorns belong to the family Rosaceae. The common hawthorn is classified as Crataegus monogyna, and the cockspur hawthorn as Crataegus crus-galli.
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