How to identify Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum)

Photo By Nadiatalent , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original

How to identify Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum)

Washington hawthorn, also known as Maple-leaved thorn, Hawthorn

Washington hawthorn is distinguished by its rounded crown and low-branching habit, reaching an average height of 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1 meters) at maturity. Its deciduous nature reveals a seasonal display: from clusters of fragrant white flowers to a vibrant, colorful foliage in autumn. Equipped with long, straight thorns, it also bears bright red fruit clusters, which persist into late autumn, providing visual interest even after leaf drop.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree, Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Washington hawthorn

Glossy red 1/4 inch (6 mm) pome clusters persist into winter.

Dark green leaves with red, orange, or purple fall colors.

Slender brown stem with sharp, prominent 1-3 inch thorns.

Terminal and axillary corymbs with up to 50 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) white flowers.

Rounded crown, low-branching habit, reaching 25-30 feet (7.6-9.1 meters) tall.

Detailed Traits of Washington hawthorn

Leaf Features

The leaves of washington hawthorn are dark green, triangular to ovate, and measure 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) long and 0.25 to 2.25 inches (0.6 to 5.7 cm) wide. They are simple, alternate, and display 3 to 5 lobes with serrate margins. The base is truncate and the apex is acute. The leaf surface is glossy above and lighter underneath with a 1 inch (2.5 cm) petiole. In the fall, the leaves turn red, orange, or purple.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Washington hawthorn features white flat-topped corymbs that appear from April to June, lasting up to 10 days. The terminal and axillary corymbs have up to 50 flowers, each about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) wide. The flowers are white with 20 stamens and pink anthers. The scent may be unpleasant and attracts midges for fertilization. These key characteristics make the flowers of washington hawthorn distinctive.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of washington hawthorn is slender and brown, featuring a distinctive texture with prominent 1-3 inch (2.5-7.6 cm) thorns. This brown stem exhibits a firm, slightly ridged surface and tends to develop a branching pattern that is irregular, providing the plant with its unique, somewhat wild appearance. The thorns, apart from their notable length, are sharp and rigid, making them one of the key identifying features of this plant's stem.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of washington hawthorn presents as glossy, vibrant red pome clusters, notable for their persistence through fall and winter, typically from September to November. Each fruit is strikingly bright red and shiny, with a modest diameter of around 1/4 inch (6 mm). Beneath the smooth exterior, the flesh is edible, providing a dual appeal of ornamental value and potential for consumption. The small size and clustered arrangement of the fruits make them distinctive against the backdrop of the plant's foliage.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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