Hawthorn - Crateagus

The botanical name is Crateagus. Hawthorn represents a genus consisting of shrubs and trees from the family Rosaceae. Its species originate from temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia and North America.

Hawthorn is also commonly known as English Hawthorn, Haw, May Bush, Quick-Set, White Thorn and others. Its general name was taken from the Greek word 'Kratos' that means 'strong' and 'powerful'.

The plant can reach the length of 5-15 m. It is notable by small fruit looking like apple and thorny branches. The fruits are called "haws", from which the name originated. The thorns occur from branches, having1-3 cm in length.

The plant leaves are spirally set up on long shoots, and in clusters on spur branches shoots. They come in different shapes with lobed or serrate edges.

In England there is a custom that a branch of the Glastonbury Thorn is taken and shown every year in Buckingham Palace. The flowers are referred to May Day, that is why the Hawthorn has long been considered as a token of spring in English poetry.