Littlehip Hawthorn Crataegus spathulata Play pronunciation

Littlehip hawthorn is an attractive, small native deciduous flowering tree found in the Central and Southeastern United States. It is typically found in scrubs, pine and oak woodlands, bottomland forests, or river banks. This tree grows 20 to 25 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. The distinguishing features include its multicolored, exfoliating bark with slender branches and large thorns, and its small, dark green to bluish-green, spatula-shaped leaves. Clusters of 20 to 30 white flowers appear in April, followed by bright red, edible fruits that appear in September and October. Littlehip Hawthorn is a rare species, but it is not endangered. It is a member of the rose family (Roseaceae). The genus name Crataegus is derived from the Greek word kratos, meaning strength, and refers to the plant's hardwood. The specific epithet, spatulata, is Latin, meaning spoon-shaped or spatula-shaped, and describes this species' leaves.

Prefers partial shade to full shade and is adaptable to various soil types as long as they are moist and well-drained. Once the tree is established, it may become more drought-tolerant. This tree provides nectar for pollinators, fruits as a food source for birds and small mammals, and the thorns provide a protected nesting habitat for many forms of wildlife.

In North Carolina, this tree is rare or uncommonly found in the southern Coastal Plain and South Central Piedmont. It is very rare in the southern mountain regions of our State. This species has been placed on the Watch List and is state-ranked S1 to S2 (critically imperiled to imperiled). Globally, it is ranked as G5 (demonstrably secure globally). 

Littlehip Hawthorn's delicate leaves with a bluish tinge and red to orange fruit in the fall make it an attractive ornamental tree.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: Potential insect pests include leaf miners, Japanese beetles, yellownecked caterpillars, webworms, tent caterpillars, aphids, scale, lace bugs, leafhoppers, and spider mites. Hawthorn species are susceptible to fire blight, cedar-hawthorn rust, cedar-quince rust, leaf blight, and leaf spot.