Common Hawthorn
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{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Common Hawthorn | status = Conservation status: Secure | image = Common hawthorn.jpg | image_width = 240px | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Magnoliopsida | ordo = Rosales | familia = Rosaceae | subfamilia = Maloideae | genus = Crataegus | species = C. monogyna | binomial = Crataegus monogyna | binomial_authority = Jacq. }}
The Common Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna is a broadly spreading shrub or small tree 5-14 m tall, native to Europe, north Africa and western Asia. The leaves are 2-4 cm long, obovate and deeply cut, sometimes almost to the midrib. The upper surface is dark green above and paler underneath. The bark is dull brown with vertical orange cracks.
Image:Common hawthorn flowers.jpg The flowers are produced in late spring (May to early June in its native area) in corymbs of 5-25 together; each flower is about 1 cm diameter, and has five white petals and numerous red stamens; they are moderately fragrant. Later in the year they bear numerous small, oval dark red fruit about 1 cm long that are important for wildlife in winter, particularly thrushes and waxwings; these birds eat the berries and disperse the seeds in their droppings.
Other old common names for this plant in Britain include May, Maythorn, Quickthorn, and Haw.
Uses
Image:Crataegus-monogyna-frugt.JPG Common Hawthorn is extensively planted as a hedge plant, especially for agricultural use.
A number of hybrids exist, some of which are used as garden shrubs. The most widely used hybrid is Crataegus x macrocarpa (C. monogyna x C. laevigata; syn. C. x media), of which several cultivars are known, including the very popular 'Paul's Scarlet' with dark pink double flowers.
Template:Commonsbg:Обикновен глог da:Engriflet Hvidtjørn es:Crataegus monogyna he:עוזרר חד-גלעיני nl:Eenstijlige meidoorn pl:Głóg jednoszyjkowy se:Nypon sl:Glog sv:Trubbhagtorn uk:Глід одноматочковий