Flower Properties

Property	Value
English Name	English Hawthorn
MainColor	Red
PlantType	Shrub
Growth Type	Native
Season	May
ImageUrl	Crataegus-001
Photographer	DP
Location
Human Toxicity	Non_Toxic

Flower Details

Description

A small, thorny deciduous tree with deeply lobed leaves and clusters of white to pink flowers in spring, followed by red berries (“haws”). Often used in hedgerows and ornamental planting.

Distribution

Native to much of Europe, including the UK, but less common than Crataegus monogyna.

Medicinal/Other Uses

Widely used in herbal medicine for supporting heart function and circulation.

Edibility

The haws are edible, though mealy and not particularly palatable raw. Traditionally used for jellies and wine.

Human Toxicity

Generally safe, though large amounts of seeds should be avoided as they contain trace cyanogenic compounds.

Pet Toxicity

Not Toxic

Active Compounds

Flavonoids (hyperoside, vitexin), procyanidins.