Since the hawthorn crosses willingly even without targeted breeding, there are numerous hawthorn species that are very similar in appearance and growth. Around two hundred to three hundred species are known worldwide, of which around twenty grow wild in Europe and only three in Germany.

Mystic Hawthorn

The hawthorn is mentioned in the writings of Dioscurides as early as the 1st century. Hawthorn leaves adorn the Gothic portal of Reims Cathedral and a capital of Naumburg Cathedral. Christ's crown of thorns is said to have been braided from hawthorn, which gave the tree the German name of Christ's thorn. Hawthorn was considered miraculous in the Middle Ages and its branches were erected to protect against evil spirits.

Hawthorn species found in our regions

It is somewhat difficult to distinguish between the varieties, since at first glance they are almost identical in terms of growth and appearance. These species occur in Germany:

  • Single Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
  • Two-style hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata)
  • Large-capped hawthorn (Crataegus curvisepala)

growth habit

The hawthorn grows as a heavily branched bush or small tree with a spreading crown. In spring, the wood adorns itself with numerous pleasantly fragrant umbels of flowers. From them, the bright red, globular and four to eight millimeters large pseudopods develop until autumn.

If you look closely, you can see the differences

The lush green foliage of the single-leaved hawthorn is oval in shape and has three to five lobes. In contrast to this, the leaves of the two-style hawthorn are always three-lobed and show rounded toothed sections.

The flowers of the single-style hawthorn have only one style, while the flowers of the two-style hawthorn have two or three styles.

The fruits of the common hawthorn contain a single stone. The two-style hawthorn, on the other hand, forms fruit with two to three seeds.

ornamental forms of hawthorn

Asian and North American cultivated forms with slightly larger and densely filled flower clusters are popular and undemanding ornamental trees in our gardens. With the colorful autumn leaves and the large fruits, these hawthorn species set pretty color accents in autumn. Unlike other fruit-bearing trees such as firethorn, the berries are not very attractive to birds.

tips and tricks

Leaves, flowers and fruits of the hawthorn are a gentle natural medicine. Mixed with other fruits, the berries of the hawthorn can be used to prepare tasty jams and jellies.

Category:

Vegetable garden