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General Description
Hawthorne is a shrub and small tree growing to 5-15 m tall, characterized by its small pome fruit and thorny branches. The bark is smooth grey in young individuals, developing shallow longitudinal fissures with narrow ridges in older trees. The fruits are sometimes known as "haws", from which the name derived. The thorns grow from branches, and are typically 1-3 cm long.
The leaves grow spirally arranged on long shoots, and in clusters on spur shoots on the branches or twigs. The leaves themselves have lobed or serrate margins and are somewhat variable shape.
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Uses
In the southern United States fruits of three native species are collectively known as Mayhaws and are made into jellies which are considered a great delicacy.
The leaves are edible and, if picked in the months of April and May, they are tender enough to be used in salads.
The wood of some hawthorn species is very hard and resistant to rot. In rural North America it was prized for use as tool handles and fence posts.
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