Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Crataegus laevigata
|
| Common Names: |
English Hawthorn, Woodland Hawthorn, May Blossom
|
| Key Name: |
Midland Hawthorn
|
| Parts Used: |
Berries, flowers, leaves
|
| Sister Plants: |
Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus pinnatifida, Crataegus oxyacantha
|
| Comments: |
Thorny shrub with strong pollinator attraction; used globally in herbal traditions
|
Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Large shrub or small tree (15-25 ft), thorny branches, lobed leaves with 3-5 lobes, white to pink flowers, red berries
|
| Stem: |
Thorny, grey-brown, with sharp spines
|
| Leaves: |
Lobed, 1-2 inches, with 3-5 lobes, glossy green turning red in fall
|
| Flowers: |
White to pink, 5-petaled flowers in clusters, blooming May-June
|
| Fruit: |
Red berries (haws), 0.5-1 cm, ripening September-October
|
| Taste: |
Tart (berries), slightly bitter (leaves)
|
| Odour: |
Sweet floral scent from flowers
|
| Root: |
Shallow, spreading root system; prevents erosion
|
| Image URL: |
|
Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Europe, Western Asia, naturalized in North America
|
| Cultivation: |
Prefers well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade; propagate by seed or cuttings
|
| Harvest: |
Flowers: Late spring; Berries: Fall
|
Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Cardiotonic, astringent, hypotensive, antioxidant
|
| Medical Uses: |
Used for heart conditions (e.g., angina, mild heart failure), high blood pressure, anxiety, and as an antioxidant; berries for circulatory health
|
| Constituents: |
Flavonoids, procyanidins, vitexin, vitamin C
|
| Solvents: |
Water, alcohol (tincture), glycerin
|
| Dosage: |
Berry tincture: 10-20 drops in water 2-3 times daily; Tea: 1 tsp dried flowers in hot water
|
| Administration: |
Internal: Tincture or infusion; External: Poultice for sores
|
| Formulas: |
Combine with motherwort for heart support; with hawthorn berries for synergy
|
| Contra Indications: |
May interact with heart medications; avoid in pregnancy; consult healthcare provider
|
| Preparation: |
Tincture: Steep 1 part berries in 5 parts alcohol for 2-4 weeks; Infusion: Steep 1 tsp flowers in hot water for 10 minutes
|
| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
|
| Veterinary: |
Used for heart support or wound healing in livestock
|
| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
|
Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
No
|
| Pollinator: |
1
|
| Pollen: |
Yes
|
| Pollen Notes: |
Wind-dispersed, visited by bees for pollen
|
| Nectar: |
Yes
|
| Nectar Notes: |
Attracts bees for nectar, supports pollinator health
|
Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Wood for tool handles, hedging, wildlife habitat
|
| Culinary Uses: |
Berries eaten raw or in jams; flowers in teas
|
| History: |
Used in European herbal medicine for heart health since medieval times
|
| Reference: |
Plants For A Future; European Herbal Traditions
|
| URL: |
https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Crataegus+laevigata
|
| Share: |
Private
|