Crataegus monogyna
| Common Hawthorn or May | |
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| Species: | C. monogyna & C. oxyacantha
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| Crataegus monogyna & C. oxyacantha | |
The Common Hawthorn or May consists of two very distinct forms, now usually considered as two separate species - Crataegus monogyna and Crataegus oxyacantha. These are broadly spreading shrubs or small trees 5-14 m tall, native to Europe, north Africa and western Asia. The leaves are 2-4 cm long, obovate and deeply cut, sometimes almost to the midrib. The upper surface is dark green above and paler underneath. The bark is dull brown with vertical orange cracks. Crataegus monogyna is the commoner of the two species; a larger tree with more deeply lobed leaves. The smaller, Crataegus oxyacantha whose typical form has a mostly obovate leaf shape except on barren shoots, has fruit with two, sometimes three, stones unlike the one of monogyna.
The flowers are produced in late spring (May to early June in its native area) in corymbs of 5-25 together; each flower is about 1 cm diameter, and has five white petals and numerous red stamens; they are moderately fragrant. Later in the year they bear numerous small, oval dark red fruit about 1 cm long that are important for wildlife in winter, particularly thrushes and waxwings; these birds eat the berries and disperse the seeds in their droppings.
Other old common names for this plant in Britain include May, Maythorn, Quickthorn, and Haw.
Uses
Common Hawthorn is extensively planted as a hedge plant, especially for agricultural use.
A number of hybrids exist, some of which are used as garden shrubs. The most widely used hybrid is Crataegus x macrocarpa (C. monogyna x C. laevigata; syn. C. x media), of which several cultivars are known, including the very popular 'Paul's Scarlet' with dark pink double flowers. Other garden shrubs that have sometimes been suggested as possible hybrids involving the Common Hawthorn, include the Various-leaved Hawthorn of the Caucases which is only ocassionally found in parks and gardens.
