Crataegus marshallii: Uses (Ethnobotany)
The leaves, berries, and flowers are used in medicines and herbals for cardiovascular health. The wood is strong, heavy, and hard, but has little commercial value.
Plant Profile: Crataegus marshallii
Taxonomy: Crataegus marshalliiNames
Hawthorn, Parsley Hawthorn, Thornapple
Phonetic Spelling:kree-TEE-gus mar-SHALL-ee-eye
Genus:Crataegus
Species:marshallii
Family:Rosaceae
Crataegus, commonly known as Hawthorn, encompasses a variety of species found throughout the southeastern United States, thriving in low-lying swamps, riverbanks, and elevated mountain ridges. Among these, Crataegus marshallii, or Parsley Hawthorn, is a small tree or shrub indigenous to North Carolina. Its strikingly intricate leaves, delicate flowers, small red berries, and attractive bark contribute to its reputation as one of the most ornamental hawthorn varieties. While the thorns may pose a risk to children, they also offer valuable nesting protection for songbirds. This tree typically reaches a height of around 25 feet and spreads about 15 feet wide, often flourishing in the moist regions of the Piedmont and coastal plains, and it can occasionally develop as a multi-trunked shrub.
Parsley Hawthorn prefers moist clay or sandy loam soils and thrives in full to partial sunlight, demonstrating adaptability to various garden conditions. It is ideally suited for planting in well-drained, moist areas near ponds, streams, bogs, or within woodland settings.
This species is classified as Facultative (FAC) to Facultative Wetland (FACW).
**Diseases, Pests, and Other Plant Issues:**
Crataegus marshallii Feature Summary
Crataegus marshallii Image Gallery
Tags
#hummingbirds
#small tree
#interesting bark
#shrub
#wildlife plant
#moths
#nectar plant
#cover plant
#winter interest
#facultative
#food source
#NC native
#tiny flowers
#edible fruits
#Braham Arboretum
#larval host plant
#food source fall
#FACW
#FAC
#food source herbage
#food source nectar
#food source pollen
#coastal FAC
#Piedmont Mountains FAC
#bird friendly
#nectar plant late spring
#mammals
#food source soft mast fruit
#butterfly friendly
#nectar plant mid-spring
#pollinators
#pollinator garden
#bee friendly
#non-toxic for horses
#non-toxic for dogs
#non-toxic for cats
#audubon
#red-spotted purple butterfly
#gray hairstreak butterfly
#viceroy butterflies
Similar Plants
Crataegus marshallii Feature Summary
Attributes
The leaves, berries, and flowers are used in medicines and herbals for cardiovascular health. The wood is strong, heavy, and hard, but has little commercial value.
North America, NC
AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA
Important nectar flower for insects; food plant of many moths including the eggar moth; haws provide winter fruit for songbirds. 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.
Some heat tolerance.
Woody
Wildlife Food Source
Attracts Pollinators
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Fruit
1/3 inch red pome with 1-5 pyrenes that resemble the “stones” in related plums, peaches, etc. Sometimes called the ‘haw’. Fruit displays from September to October.
Pome
Red/Burgundy
Edible
< 1 inch
< 1 inch
Flowers
One inch white flowers with red anthers appear in clusters from April to May.
White
Spring
4-5 petals/rays
Saucer
< 1 inch
Leaves
The 1 inch ovate leaves have 5 to 7 short pointed lobes and serrated (or toothed) edges. They are shiny green on the upper surface and paler on the undersides. Spirally arranged on long shoots.
Deciduous
Green
Orange
Red/Burgundy
Simple
Alternate
Ovate
Lobed
Serrate
< 1 inch
< 1 inch
Bark
Thin and gray, becomes exfoliating with narrow scales with age.
Dark Gray
Light Gray
Exfoliating
Stem
Smooth, thin, thorny stems are gray with mottles of brown,
Brown/Copper
Gray/Silver
Whole Plant Traits
Shrub
Tree
Native Plant
Deciduous
Erect
Open
Broad
Medium
Low
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)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Wet
Occasionally Dry
Occasional Flooding
12-24 feet
Coastal
Piedmont
7a
7b
8b
8a
9a
9b
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Landscape
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Winter Garden
Rain Garden
Water Garden
Hedge
Shade Tree
Specimen
Flowering Tree
Drought
Wet Soil
Wind
Woodland
Pond
Butterflies
Pollinators
Songbirds
Small Mammals
Crataegus marshallii Image Gallery
Crataegus marshallii Attributes
Crataegus marshallii: Country Or Region Of Origin
North America, NC
Crataegus marshallii: Distribution
AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA
Crataegus marshallii: Wildlife Value
Important nectar flower for insects; food plant of many moths including the eggar moth; haws provide winter fruit for songbirds. 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 marshallii: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)
Some heat tolerance.
Crataegus marshallii: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Crataegus marshallii: 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 marshallii Fruit
Crataegus marshallii: Fruit Description
1/3 inch red pome with 1-5 pyrenes that resemble the “stones” in related plums, peaches, etc. Sometimes called the ‘haw’. Fruit displays from September to October.
Crataegus marshallii: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Crataegus marshallii: Fruit Color
Red/Burgundy
Crataegus marshallii: Fruit Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Crataegus marshallii: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crataegus marshallii: Fruit Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Crataegus marshallii: Fruit Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Crataegus marshallii Flowers
Crataegus marshallii: Flower Description
One inch white flowers with red anthers appear in clusters from April to May.
Crataegus marshallii: Flower Color
White
Crataegus marshallii: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Crataegus marshallii: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Crataegus marshallii: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Crataegus marshallii: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Crataegus marshallii: Flower Shape
Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel
Crataegus marshallii: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Crataegus marshallii Leaves
Crataegus marshallii: Leaf Description
The 1 inch ovate leaves have 5 to 7 short pointed lobes and serrated (or toothed) edges. They are shiny green on the upper surface and paler on the undersides. Spirally arranged on long shoots.
Crataegus marshallii: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Crataegus marshallii: Leaf Color
Green
Crataegus marshallii: Deciduous Leaf Fall Color
Orange
Red/Burgundy
Crataegus marshallii: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Crataegus marshallii: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Crataegus marshallii: 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 marshallii: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Crataegus marshallii: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Crataegus marshallii: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Crataegus marshallii: Leaf Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Crataegus marshallii Bark
Crataegus marshallii: Bark Description
Thin and gray, becomes exfoliating with narrow scales with age.
Crataegus marshallii: Bark Color
Dark Gray
Light Gray
Crataegus marshallii: Surface/Attachment
Bumpy
Exfoliating
Fissured
Furrowed
Lenticels
Papery
Patchy
Peeling
Ridges
Scaly
Shaggy
Shiny
Shredding
Smooth
Spongy
Crataegus marshallii Stem
Crataegus marshallii: Stem Description
Smooth, thin, thorny stems are gray with mottles of brown,
Crataegus marshallii: Stem Color
Brown/Copper
Gray/Silver
Crataegus marshallii: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Crataegus marshallii Whole Plant Traits
Crataegus marshallii: 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 marshallii: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Crataegus marshallii: 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 marshallii: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Crataegus marshallii: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Crataegus marshallii: Appendage
Prickles
Spines
Tendrils
Thorns
Crataegus marshallii Cultural Conditions
Crataegus marshallii: 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 marshallii: Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Crataegus marshallii: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Crataegus marshallii: 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 marshallii: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Crataegus marshallii: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
7a
7b
8a
8b
9a
9b
Crataegus marshallii: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Crataegus marshallii Landscape
Crataegus marshallii: 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 marshallii: 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 marshallii: 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 marshallii: 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 marshallii: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
