Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna
Rosaceae
Image Provider(s): netherbarium
Edible Uses
Flower-bearing branches
Infusion prepared from hawthorn has an unpleasant smell, but a fine taste, that can be consumed by everyone, and not only those who suffer from heart problems.
Fruit
The fruits can be used in many ways. The hawthorn jam, syrup, or compote with or without apple are not only delicious, but have also a healing effect.
Leaf
The very tender leaves are edible raw as salad. The older leaves get hard and inedible.
Medicinal Uses
Flower-bearing branches
Fruit
This is the best medicinal plant for cardiovascular maintenance. It has no side effects. Due to its antihypertensive effect, it is also called managers' tea.
Main Characteristics
2-6 m tall deciduous shrub or small tree. Characterized by opposite leaf position, the individual leaflets are deeply lobed with 3-5 lobes. The flowers are white, five-petaled, they are produced in corymbs of 5-25 together and they are unpleasantly fragrant. The flourishing ends very quickly (within days). The haw is a small, about 1 cm long spherical red fruit with a black bottom containing a single seed.
Habitats
Shrub forest
Harvesting aid
Leaf
April, March
The very tender, light green leaves can be gathered.
Flower-bearing branches
June, May
The flower-bearing branches are gathered at half-flourishing, when half of the flowers are open. Since flourishing ends very quickly, they can only be gathered during a few days.
Fruit
August, October, September
The ripe, red fruits are gathered.
Description
-
Bloom time: June,
May,
Alternative common name(s):
- Common hawthorn
- Single-seeded hawthorn
Flower
Flower Colour: White 
Flower shape: 5 petaled