The hawthorn is pretty to look at with its double, crimson umbelliferous flowers, but its sharp thorns are formidable. Parents and pet owners in particular may also be wondering whether it is also poisonous.
Neither the berries nor the leaves of the hawthorn are poisonous
Far-reaching all-clear
If you are considering adorning your garden with a hawthorn and have concerns about small children and/or pets, you can breathe easy. Due to its sharp thorns, the rose plant poses a risk of injury for curious two- or four-legged friends. However, it is not toxic, in all its components.
It's not necessarily cheap for small children to explore the pretty flowers or leaves with their mouths. However, they cannot poison themselves in the process. Even the small apple fruits, if they rarely form at all, are non-toxic. They are even suitable for consumption - but only to a limited extent. Because large amounts of raw fruit can cause intolerance symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and, in extreme cases, even headaches and fever. The floury, sour taste usually prevents this from happening.
In processed form such as jam or compote, however, the hawthorn fruits are very edible.