Crataegus crus-galli: Uses (Ethnobotany)
The leaves, berries, and flowers are used in medicines and herbals for cardiovascular health. The wood is strong, tough, and heavy, but has little commercial value.
Plant Profile: Crataegus crus-galli
Taxonomy: Crataegus crus-galliNames
Cockspur Hawthorn, Cockspur Thorn, Dwarf Hawthorn, Hawthorn, Hog Apple, Newcastle Hawthorn
Phonetic Spelling:krah-TEE-gus krus GAL-ee
Genus:Crataegus
Species:crus-galli
Family:Rosaceae
Crataegus, commonly known as Hawthorn, encompasses a diverse range of species and varieties that thrive in low-lying swamps and riverbanks, as well as on elevated mountain ridges across North Carolina. One notable species, Crataegus crusgallii, or Cockspur Hawthorn, is a deciduous tree or shrub recognized for its dense foliage and substantial shade. This species is indigenous to North Carolina and other regions of North America. It typically reaches a height of 20 to 30 feet and features a trunk diameter of about 9 inches, producing both flowers and small red berries that add vibrant color to gardens. The Cockspur Hawthorn flourishes in average, moderately moist, well-drained soils under full sunlight, yet it can adapt to a variety of soil types, including those with good drainage, partial shade, and some drought conditions.
In May, the tree blooms with white flowers that later develop into red berries, which are generally unappealing to birds. During the fall, its leaves transform into a striking red, enhancing the landscape's visual appeal. However, the flowers emit an unpleasant scent. Additionally, this tree is characterized by its large thorns, measuring up to 4 inches in length. Certain cultivars, such as 'Cruzam' (also referred to as var. inermis, meaning "thornless"), do not produce these thorns. The Cockspur Hawthorn is highly amenable to pruning and can be cut back to older wood, from which it will readily resprout, making it a popular choice for hedges.
**Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Issues:**
This tree is vulnerable to various diseases, including cedar-hawthorn and cedar-quince rusts, fire blight, fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, cankers, apple scab, leaf blight, and twig blight. It may also attract insect pests such as aphids, borers, caterpillars, lacebugs, leaf miners, and scale insects. Additionally, red spider mites can be a concern. The presence of thorns can pose a risk to children.
Crataegus crus-galli Feature Summary
Crataegus crus-galli Image Gallery
Tags
#thorns
#showy flowers
#deciduous
#fall color
#small tree
#shade tree
#full sun tolerant
#showy berries
#fragrant flowers
#drought tolerant
#rose
#white flowers
#shrub
#wildlife plant
#moths
#tree
#spring flowers
#winter interest
#flowering tree
#berries
#showy fruits
#low flammability
#NC native
#spines
#fire resistant
#hawthorn
#low branches
#Braham Arboretum
#nesting sites
#larval host plant
#clay soils tolerant
#bird friendly
#nectar plant late spring
#butterfly friendly
#nectar plant mid-spring
#pollinator garden
#non-toxic for horses
#non-toxic for dogs
#non-toxic for cats
#red-spotted purple butterfly
#gray hairstreak butterfly
#viceroy butterflies
Similar Plants
Crataegus crus-galli is often confused with:
Crataegus crus-galli Feature Summary
Attributes
The leaves, berries, and flowers are used in medicines and herbals for cardiovascular health. The wood is strong, tough, and heavy, but has little commercial value.
Eastern North America, Canada to Georgia, west to Mississippi
Eastern North America
Important nectar flower for insects; food plant of many moths including the eggar moth; haws provide winter fruit and cover for songbirds. This plant also provides nectar for pollinators. It is a larval host plant for Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax), and Viceroy (Limenitis archippus). Red-spotted Purple and Viceroy rarely use this host plant in North Carolina. Good nesting habitat with thorns providing protection from predators.
Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and used in jellies, but most people leave it for the birds.
Perennial
Woody
Edible fruit
Wildlife Food Source
Attracts Pollinators
Wildlife Nesting
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Screening
low flammability
Fruit
Small deep-red pome with 1 to 5 pyrenes that resemble the “stones” in related plums, peaches, etc. Sometimes called the ‘haw’.
Pome
Red/Burgundy
Edible
Showy
< 1 inch
< 1 inch
Flowers
Two to three inch corymbs of 1/2 inch flowers bloom in April-May. Initially, the fragrance is pleasant, but soon turns to a fishy odor that attracts midges for pollination.
White
Corymb
Fragrant
Showy
Spring
< 1 inch
Leaves
Dark green leaves, spirally arranged on long shoots with lobed or serrated margins. Wedge-shaped, obovate to oblong-ovate leaf turns orange to scarlet to purple in the Fall.
Deciduous
Green
Purple/Lavender
Orange
Red/Burgundy
Simple
Alternate
Ovate
Oblong
Obovate
Lobed
Serrate
1-3 inches
Bark
Smooth, thin, and gray bark, fissuring with age. On old stems, the bark breaks up into thin, narrow scales.
Light Gray
Smooth
Fissured
Whole Plant Traits
Shrub
Tree
Native Plant
Deciduous
Rounded
Pyramidal
Dense
Horizontal
Medium
Medium
Medium
Thorns
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
more than 60 feet
24-60 feet
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
3a
3b
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Stem
Landscape
Drought Tolerant Garden
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Winter Garden
Border
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Flowering Tree
Security
Woodland
Slope/Bank
Butterflies
Pollinators
Songbirds
Crataegus crus-galli Image Gallery
Crataegus crus-galli Attributes
Crataegus crus-galli: Country Or Region Of Origin
Eastern North America, Canada to Georgia, west to Mississippi
Crataegus crus-galli: Distribution
Eastern North America
Crataegus crus-galli: Wildlife Value
Important nectar flower for insects; food plant of many moths including the eggar moth; haws provide winter fruit and cover for songbirds. This plant also provides nectar for pollinators. It is a larval host plant for Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax), and Viceroy (Limenitis archippus). Red-spotted Purple and Viceroy rarely use this host plant in North Carolina. Good nesting habitat with thorns providing protection from predators.
Crataegus crus-galli: Edibility
Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and used in jellies, but most people leave it for the birds.
Crataegus crus-galli: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Crataegus crus-galli: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Crataegus crus-galli: Play Value
Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer
Crataegus crus-galli: Fire Risk Rating
extreme flammability
high flammability
low flammability
medium flammability
Crataegus crus-galli Fruit
Crataegus crus-galli: Fruit Description
Small deep-red pome with 1 to 5 pyrenes that resemble the “stones” in related plums, peaches, etc. Sometimes called the ‘haw’.
Crataegus crus-galli: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Crataegus crus-galli: Fruit Color
Red/Burgundy
Crataegus crus-galli: Fruit Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Crataegus crus-galli: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crataegus crus-galli: Fruit Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Crataegus crus-galli: Fruit Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Crataegus crus-galli Flowers
Crataegus crus-galli: Flower Description
Two to three inch corymbs of 1/2 inch flowers bloom in April-May. Initially, the fragrance is pleasant, but soon turns to a fishy odor that attracts midges for pollination.
Crataegus crus-galli: Flower Color
White
Crataegus crus-galli: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Crataegus crus-galli: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Crataegus crus-galli: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Crataegus crus-galli: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Crataegus crus-galli Leaves
Crataegus crus-galli: Leaf Description
Dark green leaves, spirally arranged on long shoots with lobed or serrated margins. Wedge-shaped, obovate to oblong-ovate leaf turns orange to scarlet to purple in the Fall.
Crataegus crus-galli: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Crataegus crus-galli: Leaf Color
Green
Crataegus crus-galli: Deciduous Leaf Fall Color
Orange
Purple/Lavender
Red/Burgundy
Crataegus crus-galli: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Crataegus crus-galli: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Crataegus crus-galli: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Crataegus crus-galli: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Crataegus crus-galli: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Crataegus crus-galli: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Crataegus crus-galli Bark
Crataegus crus-galli: Bark Description
Smooth, thin, and gray bark, fissuring with age. On old stems, the bark breaks up into thin, narrow scales.
Crataegus crus-galli: Bark Color
Light Gray
Crataegus crus-galli: Surface/Attachment
Bumpy
Exfoliating
Fissured
Furrowed
Lenticels
Papery
Patchy
Peeling
Ridges
Scaly
Shaggy
Shiny
Shredding
Smooth
Spongy
Crataegus crus-galli Whole Plant Traits
Crataegus crus-galli: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Crataegus crus-galli: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Crataegus crus-galli: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Crataegus crus-galli: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Crataegus crus-galli: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Crataegus crus-galli: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Crataegus crus-galli: Appendage
Prickles
Spines
Tendrils
Thorns
Crataegus crus-galli Cultural Conditions
Crataegus crus-galli: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Crataegus crus-galli: Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Crataegus crus-galli: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Crataegus crus-galli: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Crataegus crus-galli: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Crataegus crus-galli: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
Crataegus crus-galli: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Crataegus crus-galli Stem
Crataegus crus-galli: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Crataegus crus-galli Landscape
Crataegus crus-galli: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Crataegus crus-galli: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Crataegus crus-galli: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Crataegus crus-galli: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Crataegus crus-galli: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
