#PLANT WITH SOFT THORNS HOW TO#
Related: Plant Identification Guide – 400 Wild Plants That You Can Forage For (Video) How to Grow Fruit & Seeds: The fruit or haw of hawthorns are similar to rose hips with thick skin, mushy pulp, and large stone-like seeds.Sharp thorns arise on stems and branches and are often ½ to 1 inch long. Stem: The bark is grey and smooth with longitudinal ridges in mature specimens.Flower: A symbol of hope, five-petaled flowers bloom in clusters in white, pink, or red in early spring.Oval with scalloped margins, leaves are shiny green on the upper surface and pale green underneath with distinct veins. Leaves: Leaves are arranged spirally along shoots and in small clusters on spurs of branches.Shape: Many Crataegus species are small trees or shrubs growing 15 to 50 feet tall.Related: The Complete Map of Edible Plants: Find Out What You Have in Your Area! (Video) How to Identify Crataegus Supplements, extracts, and dried plant parts may be available through herbal supplies, online stores, or health food stores.
They prefer moist, deep soils which are usually fine-textured and rich in organic matter. Hawthorns are often found growing in hedgerows or around old garden spaces. There are many traditions of healing ceremonies using this interesting plant as well.
Since the fruit persists into the winter months, many winter celebration foods worldwide have hawthorn as an ingredient. Currently, hawthorn is the state flower of Missouri. In the Victorian language of flowers, hawthorn blossoms represent hope. There is a strong association of hawthorn plants with fairies in several medieval cultures. Perhaps, for this reason, there is much evidence in folklore that hawthorns in bloom were celebrated, and destruction of hawthorn bushes or trees was dreaded as signs of bad luck. In fact, during the days of the pioneers, settlers noted this was the only remaining food supply in some areas. In addition to eating the fruit fresh, the pulp of the fruits was mashed and dried in cakes or used as an ingredient of pemican.Īs a fruit that persists on the branches into the winter season, hawthorns have probably been a survival food throughout human history. In North America, fruits were used as food and medicine since time immemorial by many indigenous peoples. Not only that but the plant, its flowers, fruit, and leaves are each incredibly useful. This may be due to the fact that these small trees and shrubs grow throughout the temperate regions of the world since ancient times. The richness in historical lore of Crataegus species is incredibly robust.
In the winter, many birds eat the remaining haws which help to disperse the seeds. The flower’s nectar feeds many insects including moths and butterflies. Even the leaves are edible and can be picked in spring when they are still young and tender to use in salads.Īn important wildlife food as well, Hawthorns are used as food and shelter by many birds and mammals. Many cultures use hawthorn in snack foods and as ingredients in liqueurs, beverages, wine making, and candy. High in pectin, hawthorn fruit is a useful addition when making jams and jellies. Due to the hardwood and sharp thorns, hawthorn shrubs are often used as living protective fencing when grown in hedges. The sharp thorns were used as fishhooks and as medical tools for piercing boils. The wood of hawthorn is incredibly strong and has been used to make tools and tool handles. Most notably, hawthorn has been used in teas and tinctures to aid digestive issues, heart problems, and high blood pressure. The small fruits are packed with nutrients and the fruit, leaves, and flowers have famously been used in herbal remedies and in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. In fact, the berries or small fruits resemble rosehips more than other berries or tree fruits. Crataegus belong to the rose or Rosaceae family of plants. The Crataegus genus holds several hundred species of small trees or shrubs that are native throughout temperate regions of Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. Hawthorn (Crataegus), is also known as quickthorn, thornapple, May-tree, or hawberry. in All Articles, Backyard Plants, Household Remedies, Plant of The Week 15