Hawthorn

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Hawthorn is the name of a large group of shrubs and small trees in the genus Crataegus, family Rosaceae, characterized by their small, apple-like fruits and thorny branches. The fruits are sometimes known as 'haws', from which the name derived. The original name was applied to the species native to northern Europe, especially the Common Hawthorn, C. monogyna, but is now applied to the entire genus. They are native to the temperate northern hemisphere. The number of species in the group may extend to a thousand or more, though some botanists would reduce the number of species considerably.

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Hawthorns provide food and shelter for many species of birds and mammals, and the flowers are important for many nectar-feeding insects. The leaves are sometimes eaten by the larvae of a large number of Lepidoptera species including Emperor Moth, Buff Arches, Common Emerald, Common Marbled Carpet, November Moth, Pale November Moth, Mottled Pug, Common Pug, Green Pug, Brimstone Moth, Scalloped Hazel, Swallow-tailed Moth, Feathered Thorn, Dotted Border, Mottled Umber, Willow Beauty, Mottled Beauty, Light Emerald, Coxcomb Prominent, Brown-tail, Yellow-tail, Short-cloaked Moth, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Ingrailed Clay and Double Square-spot.

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In Celtic lore, the hawthorn plant was used commonly for rune inscriptions along with Yew and Apple. It was once said to heal the broken heart.

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Many species and hybrids are used as ornamental and street trees. The Common Hawthorn is extensively used in Europe as a hedge plant. Several cultivars of the Midland Hawthorn C. laevigata have been selected for their pink or red flowers. Hawthorns are among the trees most recommended for water-conservation landscapes.

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The fruits of the plant are used to make many kinds of Chinese snacks including sugar gourd and haw flakes.

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Apple: The apple is a tree and its pomaceous fruit, of species Malus domestica in the family Rosaceae, and is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits. It is a small deciduous tree reaching 5-12 m tall, with a broad, often densely twiggy crown. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple oval with an ...

Fruit: In botany, a fruit is the ripened ovary, together with its seeds, of a flowering plant. In cuisine, when discussing fruit as food, the term usually refers to just those plant fruits that are sweet and fleshy, examples of which would include plum, apple and orange. However, a great many common vegeta...

Europe: :This article is about the continent. For other meanings, see Europe (disambiguation)....