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Native Plant Database

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Crataegus viridis (Green hawthorn)
Bloodworth, Stefan

Crataegus viridis L.

Green hawthorn, Southern thorn

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

USDA Symbol: crvi2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Thicket-forming tree with straight, often fluted, trunk and rounded, dense crown of spreading branches, shiny foliage, showy flowers, and small red to yellow fruit.

In 1753 Linnaeus gave this species its Latin name, meaning green, from a specimen with shiny green foliage sent from Virginia.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf: Yellow-Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower:
Fruit: Bright red to orange
Size Class: 36-72 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
Native Distribution: Delaware south to N. Florida, west to E. Texas, and north to SW. Indiana; to about 500 (152 m).
Native Habitat: Open woodlands, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: Suitable for most sites and soils; will grow best in sunny location.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Showy, Understory tree, Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: Nectar-bees, Nectar-butterflies, Fruit-birds, Fruit-mammals, Cover, Nesting site.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Kings hairstreak, Gray hairstreak, Soapberry hairstreak, Banded hairstreak, Red-Banded hairstreak.
Deer Resistant: High

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Crataegus viridis is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Soapberry Hairstreak
(Phaeostrymon alcestis)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Banded Hairstreak
(Satyrium calanus)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Gray Hairstreak
(Strymon melinus)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Red-banded Hairstreak
(Calycopis cecrops)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1141 Collected 2011-11-17 in Liberty County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Crataegus viridis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Crataegus viridis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Crataegus viridis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-18
Research By: NPC

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