Common hawthorn is very easy to find and is widespread throughout Exeter. As the name suggests it does have thorns - quite big ones in fact! It is usually a small shrub but can sometimes be found as a small tree. It is very easy to identify all throughout with the year with it's toothed lobed leaves, white flowers and red haws (fruit).
Common hawthorn is a deciduous tree native in the UK and across Europe. Mature trees can reach a height of 15m and are characterised by their dense, thorny habit, though they can grow as a small tree with a single stem. The bark is brown-grey, knotted and fissured, and twigs are slender and brown and covered in thorns. Below are some handy links:
Several Common hawthorn shrubs planted together
A small Common hawthorn tree
The leaves arearound 6cm in length and are comprised of toothed lobes, which are cut at least halfway to the middle or 'mid-rib'. They turn yellow before falling in autumn.
The flowers are great for bees and flies
Close up of the flowers
Hawthorns are hermaphrodite, meaning both male and female reproductive parts are contained within each flower. The flowers are highly scented, white or occasionally pink with five petals, and grow in flat-topped clusters. They are great for bees and flies alike.
Close up of the spent flowers
A rainy day for this Hawthorn
Close up of the fruit beginning to form
Close up of the developed fruit
Once pollinated by insects, they develop into deep red fruits known as 'haws'. 
Close up of the leaves
Close up of the thorns
Branches of Common hawthorn
Close up of the trunk of a small Common hawthorn tree
PHOTOS
QUICK FACTS
  • ​It is also known as the May-tree, due to its flowering period, it is the only British plant named after the month in which it blooms
  • There are more than 300 species throughout the world
  • Common hawthorn can support more than 300 insects.
  • It is the foodplant for caterpillars of many moths, including the hawthorn, orchard ermine, pear leaf blister, rhomboid tortrix, light emerald, lackey, vapourer, fruitlet mining tortrix, small eggar and lappet moths
  • Its flowers are eaten by dormice and provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects
  • The haws are rich in antioxidants and are eaten by many migrating birds such as redwings, fieldfares and thrushes
  • The dense thorny foliage makes fantastic nesting shelter for many species of bird
  • In Britain, it was believed that bringing hawthorn blossom into the house would be followed by illness and death 
  • In Medieval times it was said that hawthorn blossom smelled like the Great Plague
  • Botanists later learned that the chemical trimethylamine in hawthorn blossom is also one of the first chemicals formed in decaying animal tissue, so it is not surprising that hawthorn flowers are associated with death
  • Common hawthorn timber is a creamy brown colour, finely grained and very hard
  • It can be used in turnery and engraving, and was used to make veneers and cabinets, as well as boxes, tool handles and boat parts 
  • It also makes good firewood and charcoal, and has a reputation for burning at high temperatures
  • Hawthorn petals are used in the medieval English recipe for spinee, an almond-milk based pottage
  • The young leaves, flower buds and young flowers are all edible
  • They can be added to green salads and grated root salads
  • The developing flower buds are particularly good.
  • The haws can be eaten raw but may cause mild stomach upset
  • They are most commonly used to make jellies, wines and ketchups
  • Herbalists consider hawthorn to be the world's best heart tonic
  • Hawthorn also is taken in liquid form for insomnia and nervous conditions and is used as a gargle for sore throats
  • It has long been used as a hedging plant and is a popular choice in wildlife gardens
  • Hawthorn may be prone to aphid attack, gall mites and the bacterial disease, fireblight
PLEASE LEAF ME ANY FEEDBACK / COMMENTS
​If there is anything out of place or wrong please contact me. Equally if there is anything you wish to add please let me know. The more information we have about Common hawthorn the better. Many thanks!