Downy Hawthorn (Crataegus mollis)
Research conducted by: Julia Noureddine and Diana Baydoun, Grosse Ile High School Students
General Characteristics:
Its habitats include prairies, lake shores, brushy thickets, forest margins, river banks and ravines, in dry to moist soils.
● Leaves are alternate, 2½ to 5 inches long, 2 to 5 inches wide, broadly egg-shaped to nearly round in outline, mostly widest near the base, blunt to pointed at the tip
● Fruit is berry-like, round, ½ to nearly 1 inch diameter, dull scarlet to crimson red at maturity.
● The flowers are flat-topped, branching clusters of 5 to 17 flowers at tips of branch twigs, emerging after the leaves in mid to late spring. Flowers are ¾ to 1 inch across with 5 round white petals. In the center are 17 to 20 stamens with white tips
● Mature bark is thin, gray to gray-brown and splits into narrow plates.
Commercial Value:
The fruit is used for making jellies, preserves, and teas
● The fruits and flowers of many hawthorns are well-known in herbal folk medicine as a heart tonic
● The plant is tolerant of being trimmed and will even resprout if cut back into very old wood. It can be used as a hedge
● Useful for making tool handles, mallets and other small items
Wildlife Value:
Nature Attracting - Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit - Cover, Food/Birds, Food/Small Animals, Nesting
Pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies and others like the nectar from the blooms of the tee.. This benefits the plant by receiving pollen while also benefiting the pollinators by providing them with a source of pollen. This relationship is symbiotic because they both contribute to each other and benefit from its uses.
Interesting Tidbits:
● It is very drought tolerant
● Can adapt to many different types of soils
● Is prone to cedar rust diseases
● It is a multi stemmed tree
● It’s fruits are used in medicine
Citations
● https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Crataegus+mollis
● https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/tree/downy-hawthorn
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Research conducted by: Doug Thiel
General Characteristics: Range is throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Is a member of the Rose family. Mature height is 15 – 50 feet. Has thorny branches and has a small root system.
Commercial Value: Fruit resembles crabapples. The fruit can be used to produce jams and preserves. The leaves are edible and can be used in salads if picked in the months of April and May. The fruit also has medicinal uses as a digestive aid, for strengthening cardiovascular function and to lower blood pressure. Wood is fine grained and works well for delicate carvings. Wood burns hotter than oak.
Wildlife Value: Provides food and shelter for many species of birds and mammals.
Interesting Tidbits: Can live up to 400 years. Flowers can be used to make a diuretic tea. Used as an impervious fencerow in parts of U.S. and around the world.