Pexa Hawthorn Crataegus munda

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

Crataegus invicta
Crataegus pexa

Phonetic Spelling

krah-TEE-gus MUN-duh

Description

Crataegus, or Hawthorn, is a genus of a tree or shrub that contains many species and varieties found throughout North Carolina from the eastern low swamps and and river bottoms to the western mountain ridges. Crataegus munda, or Dwarf Hawthorn, is a native shrub found in the sand hills of North Carolina south to Florida. It is considered rare in North Carolina and is called Dwarf because it grows only 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, making it the smallest of the hawthorns. White flowers appear in early spring and are followed by reddish pomes that attract birds. The stems are loaded with thorns and provide protection for small mammals and birds. In a mass planting, its small size and many thorns make it a formidable security hedge.

This plant prefers drier sites in sandy soils in sun to partial shade. It could potentially be used as a native wildlife plant in a naturalized area. It is not generally commercially sold.

This Hawthorne serves as a host plant for the larvae of the Gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Red-spotted purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax), and the Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) butterflies.

Diseases, Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:

Form in September — Form - September - Spring Hill, NC Alan Weakely CC0

Stem, Thorns & Leaves in July — Stem/Thorns/Leaves - July - Spring Hill, NC Alan Weakely CC0

Underside of leaves in October — Leaves Underside - October - Scotland Co., NC John Kees CC0

Flowers in April — Flowers - April - Aiken, SC Keith Bradley CC0

Fruit in July — Fruit - July - Spring Hill, NC Alan Weakely CC0

Seed Pods in OCtober — Seedpods - October - Scotland Co., NC John Kees CC0

Attributes:
Genus:

Crataegus

Species:

munda

Family:

Rosaceae

Uses (Ethnobotany):

The leaves, berries, and flowers are used in medicines and herbals for cardiovascular health. The wood is strong, tough, and hard, but has little commercial value.

Life Cycle:

Woody

Recommended Propagation Strategy:

Seed

Country Or Region Of Origin:

Southeastern United States

Distribution:

Virginia south to Florida and west to Mississippi

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.

Play Value:

Attracts Pollinators

Edible fruit

Wildlife Cover/Habitat

Wildlife Food Source

Dimensions:

Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.

Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Native Plant

Shrub

Tree

Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Habit/Form:

Mounding

Rounded

Growth Rate:

Medium

Texture:

Coarse

Appendage:

Thorns

Cultural Conditions:
Light:

Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Soil Texture:

Clay

Loam (Silt)

Sand

Soil Drainage:

Good Drainage

NC Region:

Coastal

Piedmont

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Fruit:
Fruit Color:

Red/Burgundy

Fruit Value To Gardener:

Edible

Display/Harvest Time:

Fall

Fruit Type:

Pome

Fruit Length:

< 1 inch

Fruit Width:

< 1 inch

Fruit Description:

Small red pome with 1 to 5 pyrenes that resemble the “stones” in related plums, peaches, etc. Sometimes called the ‘haw’. Matures Sept.- Oct.

Flowers:
Flower Color:

White

Flower Inflorescence:

Corymb

Flower Bloom Time:

Spring

Flower Shape:

Cup

Flower Petals:

4-5 petals/rays

Flower Size:

< 1 inch

Flower Description:

One or two flowers per inflorescence with 5-lobed calyx, 5 petals, usually 20 stamens (anthers usually white or yellow). Blooms March-May. Can have unpleasant odor that attracts midges for fertilization.

Leaves:
Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Leaf Color:

Green

Leaf Type:

Simple

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Shape:

Cuneate

Ovate

Spatulate

Leaf Margin:

Crenate

Lobed

Serrate

Hairs Present:

No

Leaf Length:

1-3 inches

Leaf Width:

< 1 inch

Leaf Description:

One to one and a half inch long leaves are spatulate to cuneate, with a base narrowly cuneate. Tips are rounded, lobes number 0 or 3 per side distally, margins are serrulate-crenate on the distal 1/2 with glandular teeth.

Bark:
Bark Color:

Dark Gray

Light Gray

Surface/Attachment:

Smooth

Bark Description:

Bark is thin, smooth, and gray. On old stems, it breaks up into narrow scales.

Stem:
Stem Color:

Brown/Copper

Green

Purple/Lavender

Stem Is Aromatic:

No

Stem Form:

Straight

Stem Surface:

Smooth (glabrous)

Stem Description:

New growth is green with suppressed hairs. Older stems are purple-brown, slender, straight and have numerous thorns. Stems sometimes winged for half its length.

Landscape:
Landscape Location:

Coastal

Naturalized Area

Landscape Theme:

Butterfly Garden

Native Garden

Pollinator Garden

Design Feature:

Barrier

Attracts:

Butterflies

Pollinators

Small Mammals

Songbirds

Plant DetailShow Menu

Pexa Hawthorn Crataegus munda

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as: