Midland hawthorn
Crataegus laevigata
Synonyms: Crataegus oxyacantha var. obtusata, Crataegus oxyacantha f. oxyacanthoides, Crataegus oxyacantha subvar. eriocarpa, Crataegus oxyacanthoides var. laevigata, Crataegus oxyacantha var. flore-alba-plena, Crataegus oxyacantha f. integrifolia, Crataegus laevigata subsp. carnoviensis, Crataegus laevigata subsp. palmstruchii, Crataegus oxyacantha var. palmstruchii, Crataegus palmstruchii subsp. rhenana, Crataegus oxyacantha f. rosea, Crataegus laevigata f. rosea, Crataegus laevigata var. microxyacantha, Mespilus intermedia, Crataegus oxyacantha var. mathei, Crataegus oxyacantha sorbifolia, Crataegus oxyacantha f. auriculata, Crataegus oxyacantha var. ovoxyacantha, Crataegus monogyna var. rosea, Crataegus oxyacantha var. subrotundifolia, Crataegus laevigata f. ellipticifolia, Mespilus digyna, Crataegus oxyacantha f. gireoudii, Crataegus oxyacantha f. vernicosa, Mespilus oxyacantha var. integrifolia, Mespilus oxyacanthoides, Crataegus laevigata var. palmstruchii, Oxyacantha obtusata, Crataegus laevigata subsp. walokochiana, Mespilus oxyacantha var. oxyacanthoides, Crataegus subinermis, Mespilus oxyacantha var. obovata, Crataegus oxyacantha var. ovata, Mespilus laevigata, Oxyacantha matthioli, Crataegus laevigata var. microphylla, Crataegus oxyacantha var. obtusiloba, Crataegus oxyacantha subsp. polygyna, Crataegus oxyacantha subsp. carnoviensis, Crataegus oxyacantha f. laevigata, Crataegus oxyacantha var. microcarpa, Crataegus oxyacantha var. oxyacanthoides, Crataegus oxyacantha var. globosa, Crataegus calycina var. walokochiana, Crataegus oxyacanthoides, Crataegus oxyacantha var. flore-punicea, Crataegus palmstruchii, Crataegus laevigata f. bicrenulata, Oxyacantha vulgaris, Crataegus oxyacantha subsp. palmstruchii, Crataegus oxyacantha var. rosea, Crataegus oxyacantha var. laevigata, Crataegus laevigata subsp. vulgaris, Crataegus laevigata var. mathei, Crataegus oxyacantha var. flore-rubra-plena, Crataegus oxyacantha subsp. laevigata, Crataegus oxyacantha subsp. oxyacanthoides, Crataegus oxyacantha subsp. joachymii, Crataegus oxyacantha var. microxyacantha, Crataegus ariifolia, Mespilus oxyacantha var. auriculata, Crataegus laevigata var. integrifolia, Oxyacantha monogyna var. rosea, Crataegus laevigata var. ovoxyacantha, Crataegus walokochiana var. subrotundifolia, Crataegus walokochiana var. globosa, Crataegus walokochiana var. joachmyii, Crataegus oxyacantha f. glabrata, Crataegus oxyacantha subsp. walokochiana, Crataegus laevigata var. vulgaris, Crataegus oxyacantha var. vulgaris, Crataegus spinosa, Crataegus oxyacantha subsp. vernicosa, Mespilus sorbifolia, Mespilus oxyacantha var. obtusata, Crataegus cuneatotrifida, Crataegus oxyacantha var. integrifolia, Crataegus oxyacantha f. ellipticifolia, Crataegus laevigata var. carnoviensis, Crataegus coriacea, Crataegus walokochiana, Crataegus laevigata var. sorbifolia
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Botanical Description
Crataegus laevigata, the midland or English hawthorn, is a thorny deciduous shrub or small tree of the family Rosaceae growing 3 to 8 m tall, with a dense, rounded crown and stiff branches armed with sharp thorns. The glossy dark green leaves are shallowly three- to five-lobed, less deeply cut than in the related common hawthorn. In late spring it bears abundant clusters of fragrant white, sometimes pink-flushed, five-petalled flowers, each typically with two or three styles. These develop into deep red, ovoid, berry-like pomes (haws) that usually contain two seeds. Native to western and central Europe, midland hawthorn grows in woodland, hedgerows, scrub and old hedges, often on heavier, shaded soils, and is much planted, including pink double-flowered cultivars. The flowering tops, leaves and fruits are used in herbal medicine.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.