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Crataegus aestivalis
Crataegus aestivalis (Walter) Torr. & A. Gray
Mayhaw, May Hawthorn
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Synonym(s): Crataegus luculenta, Crataegus maloides
USDA Symbol: CRAE
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
May hawthorn is a small tree to 40 ft. or, less commonly, a shrub with crooked, usually spiny, branches. Clusters of white flowers are followed by edible, red fruit. Unusual among Crataegus spp. in having fruits ripen early, from April to July.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Pome
Size Notes: Up to about 40 feet tall.
Leaf: Dark Green.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , MS , NC , SC , VANative Distribution: Coastal Plain from VA to FL & MS
Native Habitat: Shallow ponds; wet woods; seasonal swamps
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Wet soils.
Conditions Comments: Subject to rust.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesValue to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Stratified seed will germinate.Seed Treatment: 6-8 weeks of moist chilling improves germination.
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL |
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic BotanyWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Crataegus aestivalis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Crataegus aestivalis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Crataegus aestivalis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-09Research By: TWC Staff