Hawthorn Crataegus uniflora
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Hawthorn:
Previously known as:
- Crataegus bisulcata
- Crataegus raleighensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- krah-TEE-gus yoo-nih-FLOR-uh
- Description
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Crataegus, or Hawthorn, is a small deciduous tree or shrub in the rose family that includes many species and varieties distributed across North Carolina. Crataegus uniflora, or Dwarf Hawthorn, is found naturally in forests, roadsides, rock outcrops, and other disturbed lands with xeric to sub-xeric conditions. It grows as a spreading shrub or small tree with short, stout trunks, a rounded crown and crooked branches. It appears in tree form only in Northern Florida. It is heat tolerant with good fall color. Like most Hawthorns, Dwarf Hawthorn, has straight fine thorns, solitary white flowers that appear in spring, and fall fruits.
This shrub prefers well-drained soils on the drier side in sun to partial shade. Once established, it succeeds in excessively moist soils and also tolerates drought. It grows well in organic as well as clay and sandy soils and can tolerate windy conditions. However, it does not do well with exposure to maritime salt air. It can be easily pruned and could be used as a barrier, hedge or as a wildlife plant in naturalized areas. It is beneficial to birds, small mammals and pollinators. It may be difficult to find for sale. It is a host plant for the larvae of Gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Red-spotted purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) and the Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) butterflies.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
No known disease or pest issues.
- 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:
- uniflora
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Wood is strong, heavy, and hard, but not commercially valuable.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Eastern United States
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Provides nesting sites and protection for birds, small mammals and other 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. Flowers attract pollinators. It is a larval host plant. The fruits are eaten by birds and mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Screening
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Wildlife Nesting
- Edibility:
- Fruit can be eaten, raw or cooked, and is born singly, or in groups of up to 3 fruits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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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
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Green yellow to dull red. Fruits are available September-October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Solitary five petaled white flowers with cream or white colored anthers in April-May. Initial fragrance can be unpleasant, but attracts midges for pollination.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Oval to oblong leaves with margins serrated to crenate, bases cuneate, tip obtuse to broadly acute. Often glossy green and sparsely to moderately hairy. Half to one inch long by half inch or less wide. Stems short or missing. Leaves small and unlobed.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- Thin, gray bark that, in older stems, breaks up into narrow scales.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Twigs are hairy, thorny and reddish-brown
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
- Pollution
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
