Habitat
Type: scrub, woods, hedges
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere

General
Growth type: tree
Cycle: deciduous
Height: up to 7 meters
Other:

Leaf
Shape: lobed
Arrangement: cluster at end of twig
Edge: toothed

Trunk
Texture: long, sharp thorns on trunk

Flower
Diameter: 8-15mm
Arrangement: small clusters
When: May to June
Colour:

Fruit
Shape: oval
Colour: red
Size: 10mm
Other: called "haw"

Seed
Casing: fruit
Other: one or more, depending on which species

large, sharp thorns on trunk and branches

April to September - best April and May
all year
May and June
September to November

Parts with black and white icons are for non-culinary use

Flavour
Rating and Description:
mild
mild, similar to mealy apple

How to Consume
raw, tea, leaf curd
tea, spirits
raw, dried (see fruit leather in the "fruit" section of the Parts page - high in pectin)
roasted

Nutrition
Vitamin B, C, flavenoids (antioxidant), rutin, quercetin

Used as ...
food, tea
tea
food beverage (coffee substitute)

Action:
heart tonic
antispasmodic, cardiac, diuretic, sedative, vasodilator, heart tonic

May treat:
poultice: draw splinters
palpitations, vertigo, rheumatism, insomnia, Reynaud's disease, disorders of heart and circulatory system, angina, arteriosclerosis, acne rosaceae (lotion)

(trunk) timber, including (hard, dense, for turnery, carving)

Collection
shake branches over wide container or sheet to collect falling petals or haws [see note 2]

Drying
dry to store
in sun or low oven, or as fruit leather - see "fruit" section on the Parts page

Note
Safe for prolonged use
[1] Hawthorn may only be effective in mild conditions. Heart disease should only be treated by a qualified health practitioner. Consult practitioner if on heart medication.
[2] As the petals are the active part of the flower, it is best to leave the flower to develop into fruit for later collection or for the birds.

Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed

Parts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use

Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use

Other:
caution

Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances

• antispasmodic: prevents or eases spasms or cramps
• cardiac: has effect on the heart
• diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
• quercetin: antioxidant; anti-inflammatory (inhibits the production and release of histamine); may protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease
• rutin: antioxidant; strengthens capillaries; may protect against cancer and heart disease
• sedative: calms the nervous system and reduces stress
• vasodilator: widens blood vessels, reducing blood pressure