Smallfruit Hawthorn Crataegus spathulata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- krah-TEE-gus spath-yoo-LAY-tuh
- Description
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Crataegus, or Hawthorn, is a small deciduous tree or shrub that includes many species and varieties and is commonly found throughout North Carolina in the low swamps and river bottoms of the east to the high mountain ridges in the west. Crataegus spathulata, or Littlehip Hawthorn, is a native large shrub or small evergreen tree with slender branches, large thorns, white flowers that bloom in the spring, dark green toothed leaves, and bright red, edible fruits. It is found naturally in forests, and can extend up slopes to drier or rockier sites.Littlehip Hawthorn is a rare species, but is not endangered.
Littlehip Hawthorn's delicate leaves with a bluish tinge and red to orange fruit in the fall make it an attractive ornamental shrub.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or pest problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Crataegus
- Species:
- spathulata
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Wood is strong, hard, and heavy, but with little commercial value.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South East and South Central United States
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , KY , LA , MO , MS , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant 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. Plant provides nesting protection.
- Edibility:
- Fruit is edible, but usually left for the birds.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 36 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Description:
- Bright red fruits become available September and October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White flowers with pale yellow anthers, in flat-topped clusters, with up to 20 small stamens that bloom from April to May. May have an initial unpleasant odor that attracts midges for pollination.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green, notched on the edges, typically 2 to 3 inches long. Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Fissured
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- This plant has attractive, exfoliating bark. Typically thin and gray that becomes scaly on older stems.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
