The taxonomy of Crataegus species has historically been very confused, with over 1,200 different species recognized by some authors in the past. This number has been gradually and very significantly reduced, especially since the publication of several regional studies carried out since the late 1980’s, and current thinking is that the final number could be below 150 distinct species[]. Many of the genera that were included in this database prior to 2017 will now be treated as synonyms or subspecies, and it is likely that a number of other currently accepted species will also receive that fate once a complete revision of the genus (underway in 2015) has been published.

Common Name: Midland Hawthorn

General Information

Crataegus laevigata is a thorny, deciduous shrub or small tree with a rounded crown; it can grow 4.5 - 6 metres tall, occasionally to 8 metres[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is considered to be especially valuable as a medicine for the heart and is commonly sold for herbal use. The plant is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make an excellent hedge.
Crataegus laevigata has a widespread distribution, stable population and no major known threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Europe - UK and Sweden, south to Spain, southern Italy, Croatia and Romania, but not found in Russia or Finland.

Habitat

Woods, hedges, thickets etc on clays and heavy loams, especially in eastern Britain[, ]. Where found in hedges it is often as a relict of ancient woodland[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Midges
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Crataegus laevigata is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to around -25°c when dormant[]. The plant dislikes hot, humid summers which can produce a greater susceptibility to disease[].
Crataegus species are generally very easily cultivated plants, growing best in full sun to medium shade and preferring a well-drained but moisture retentive loamy soil, though they are not usually fussy[, ]. This species grows well on a chalk soil and also in heavy clay soils[]. Once established, many species can tolerate a range of difficult conditions including drought; excessively moist soils; exposed, windy, maritime conditions; and atmospheric pollution[]. Notes on the plants habitat above may give more ideas on this[].
Trees growing in a sunny position generally produce more and better quality fruit than trees growing in the shade[]. This is a true woodland species, it grows well even in quite dense shade[, ].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[]. Closely allied to Crataegus monogyna, it often hybridizes with that species in the wild when growing in its proximity[].
There are many named forms selected for their ornamental value[].
Many Crataegus species are very variable with regard to fruit size and quality. Seedlings, even if obtained from a good fruiting form, can often be disappointing - though they can also be an improvement on the original form. The most reliable way of obtaining a good fruiting form is by grafting from a known good tree, or obtaining a named cultivar from a reliable source[].
Seedling trees take from 5 - 8 years before they start bearing fruit, though grafted trees will often flower heavily in their third year[].
Seedlings should not be left in a seedbed for more than 2 years without being transplanted[].
The flowers have a foetid smell somewhat like decaying fish. This attracts midges which are the main means of fertilization. When freshly open, the flowers have more pleasant scent with balsamic undertones[].
An important food plant for the larvae of many lepidoptera species[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , ]. A dry and mealy texture, they are not very appetizing[]. The fruit can be used for jams and preserves[]. The fruit pulp can be dried, ground into a meal and mixed with flour in making bread etc[, ]. The red, roundish-ovoid fruit is about 6 - 18mm in diameter[, ]. There are 2 - 3, fairly large seeds in the centre of the fruit, these often stick together and so the effect is of eating a cherry-like fruit with a single seed[].

Young leaves and young shoots - raw[, ]. A tasty nibble, they are nice in a salad[].

Young leaves are a tea substitute[, , , ].

The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[, , ].

Medicinal

Hawthorn is an extremely valuable medicinal herb. It is used mainly for treating disorders of the heart and circulatory system, especially angina[]. Western herbalists consider it a 'food for the heart', it increases the blood flow to the heart muscles and restores normal heart beat[]. This effect is brought about by the presence of bioflavonoids in the fruit, these bioflavonoids are also strongly antioxidant, helping to prevent or reduce degeneration of the blood vessels[].

The fruit is antispasmodic, cardiac, diuretic, sedative, tonic and vasodilator[, , , , ]. Both the fruits and flowers of hawthorns are well-known in herbal folk medicine as a heart tonic and modern research has borne out this use. The fruits and flowers have a hypotensive effect as well as acting as a direct and mild heart tonic[]. They are especially indicated in the treatment of weak heart combined with high blood pressure[], they are also used to treat a heart muscle weakened by age, for inflammation of the heart muscle, arteriosclerosis and for nervous heart problems[]. Prolonged use is necessary for the treatment to be efficacious[]. It is normally used either as a tea or a tincture[].
Hawthorn is combined with ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) to enhance poor memory, working by improving the blood supply to the brain[].

The bark is astringent and has been used in the treatment of malaria and other fevers[].

The roots are said to stimulate the arteries of the heart[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A good hedge plant, it is very tolerant of neglect and is able to regenerate if cut back severely, it makes a good thorny stock-proof barrier[] and resists very strong winds. It can also be used in layered hedges[, ].

Other Uses

The plant is often used as a rootstock for several species of garden fruit such as the medlar (Mespilus germanica) and the pear (Pyrus communis sativa)[].

The wood is very hard and tough but difficult to work[, , ]. It has a fine grain and takes a beautiful polish but is seldom large enough to be of great value[]. It is valued for use in turnery, and is used for making tool handles, small wooden articles etc[, , , ].
The wood makes an excellent fuel, giving out a lot of heat, more so even than oak wood[]. Charcoal made from the wood is said to be able to melt pig iron without the aid of a blast[].

Propagation

Seed - this is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, some of the seed will germinate in the spring, though most will probably take another year. Stored seed can be very slow and erratic to germinate, it should be warm stratified for 3 months at 15°c and then cold stratified for another 3 months at 4°c[]. It may still take another 18 months to germinate[]. Scarifying the seed before stratifying it might reduce this time[]. Fermenting the seed for a few days in its own pulp may also speed up the germination process[]. Another possibility is to harvest the seed 'green' (as soon as the embryo has fully developed but before the seedcoat hardens) and sow it immediately in a cold frame. If timed well, it can germinate in the spring[]. If you are only growing small quantities of plants, it is best to pot up the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in individual pots for their first year, planting them out in late spring into nursery beds or their final positions. When growing larger quantities, it might be best to sow them directly outdoors in a seedbed, but with protection from mice and other seed-eating creatures. Grow them on in the seedbed until large enough to plant out, but undercut the roots if they are to be left undisturbed for more than two years.