Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna
Alternative names: Quickthorn, Whitethorn, Maythorn, Mother-die, Bread and Cheese, Arzy-garzies, Boojuns, Hoppety-haws, Thorn bush
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a small tree/tall shrub in the rose family which nowadays is primarily seen running across the countryside of the UK in the form of hedgerows which stand out starkly in May when they flower. It is also noted in some places as a lone tree, perhaps a survivor of an ancient hedgerow now dead or removed, or in some cases a boundary marker or meeting point. It has a deep history of uses and superstitions surrounding it and has been a noted tree since the Anglo-Saxons and possibly before. The various common names are mainly a result of the appearance of the tree or related to it’s taste. Mother-die is a bit more morbid and relates to the superstition that children bringing Hawthorn flowers into the house will result in the mother’s death.
This venerated tree was often mapped by the Anglo-Saxons, is the ancestor of the Maypole and source of May day garlands and has long been seen as the sign that we are on the cusp between Spring and Summer. In fact there is a saying still used today ‘Ne’er cast a clout ere May be out’ and variations along those lines, “clout” being a word for coat and May, in this instance, referring to the blossoms of the Hawthorn, not the month.
Where does Hawthorn grow?
Hawthorn can be found across Europe to Afghanistan and is abundant in all habitats except from poor sandy soils. It is mostly seen forming hedgerows, particularly in light of more recent environmental schemes which have encouraged or even funded the planting of hedgerows to act as corridors for nature. Traditionally it was used for hedgerows as the thorns were effective at keeping stock in but it isn’t prone to ‘suckering’ as Blackthorn is. It is a very resilient species and can survive fierce cutting back, making it ideal for hedgelaying. It is also found as a large makeup of so-called “scrubby woodland” as well as forming an understorey in broadleaf woodland or cropping up as lone trees on heaths and downs.
Is Hawthorn edible?
The leaves, blossoms and fruits are all edible although the leaves and fruits are the most prized. Some say that produce made with the flowers has a somewhat fishy taste due to the chemical trimethylamine which they contain. The leaves are the reason for the common name of ‘bread and cheese’ and are at their best when young (generally in April) Possibly the first edible wild ‘green stuff’ that rural children tried, although less well known these days. The name originates from the flavour being similar to basic foodstuffs with starchy tones, some hardier children would eat the older leaves in late summer (the bread) along with the slightly creamy young berries. The taste of the young leaves is slightly nutty and rather pleasant, they can be added to salads, made into a sauce for lamb or layered onto suet crust with bacon to make a sort of savoury roly poly called May pudding. Mostly though, they are grazed straight from the bushes.
Hawthorn berries are referred to as Haws and are always found in abundance as they are not favoured by birds as much as other species. This may be due to the large stone which resides under a relatively thin layer of flesh. There are recipes to be found for Hawthorn jellies. gins or you can simply add them into a mixture of other foraged fruits and combine to create a hedgerow jelly or jam, they are relatively high in pectin and so will help with setting any preserves.
How to identify Hawthorn
There are in fact two different species of Hawthorn- Common and Midland or woodland (C.laevigata) which you may come across in the UK. Both have similar properties and the same edibility but the latter is less common and found restricted to ancient woodlands and very old hedge-banks on clay soils. Hawthorn leaves are often some of the first seen bursting in hedgerows and are a vibrant green when young, each leaf is on it’s own stem and they are lobed, those of common hawthorn being cut in at least halfway to the midrib with each lobe toothed at it’s tip. Midland hawthorn leaves have very shallow lobes and a more rounded appearance. Both are thorned with the thorns being found on the younger shoots, not so much on the main stem and they are relatively short. Perhaps one of the reasons that Hawthorns have been left to grow and used as markers is their resilience and striking appearance when left to mature, rather than cut as part of a hedgerow. They develop gnarly bark and twisted trunks and limbs, particularly when found on windswept hills or cliff edges.
When the flowers arrive it is difficult to misidentify this tree- they are frothy white-pink flowers residing on this thorny tree. They also have a very distinctive smell due to the presence of trimethylamine. This chemical is commonplace naturally and associated with both the creation and end of life. Those from medical professions often say that it reminds them of gangrene but to many it is simply the smell that has always heralded the beginning of summer.
In late summer into early Autumn, hawthorn becomes bejewelled with red berries which last well into the winter.
Potential dangers and misidentification
In terms of misidentification, there are few species which you may mistake for hawthorn. The main offender for this is Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) However the thorns on blackthorn are much more industrial than those of hawthorn, with hawthorn you will suffer a small prick or scratch which you may have to bear whilst gathering your edibles. Blackthorn is more of a hypodermic needle which tends to break off as it stings, leaving a small bit of wood in your finger. Hawthorn is much more pleasant to harvest! The leaves are very different between these two species, blackthorn has simple, unlobed leaves which appear after the blossom- so if you are seeing white blossom on a thorny tree with no leaves- it is likely a blackthorn. Also worth taking note of it’s location however, in order to return in autumn and create some sloe gin, a favourite amongst many.
Hawthorn has long been regarded as a medicine for heart problems so it is worth checking with your doctor before ingesting too much of any part of the plant if you are likely to be at risk of a bad reaction. Otherwise- there is no particular part of the plant which needs to be avoided for toxicity reasons.
** A NOTE OF CAUTION **
Foraging and hunting for wild food is a potentially hazardous activity.
Whilst we do our best to make sure these species and wild food guides are as accurate as possible there is ALWAYS the possibility of the user (or the author…) misidentifying a plant or other item, and the descriptions given might also apply to similar toxic plants.
Common names cannot be relied upon as they change from region to region, and there are some similar names for very different plants. When researching species on the internet you can sometimes find a common name referring to a completely different species to the one you are trying to learn about.
You should always be confident of the identification of a plant, fungus or lichen BEFORE you touch it and especially before you put it anywhere near your mouth.
The best way to do that is by checking with a good wild flower key or identification book, and ideally cross-referencing between more than one book.
Or – as all of the cool people say: Never Munch on a Hunch.
Richard is a UK wilderness skills and outdoor safety instructor with over a decade of experience working on expeditions, in SAR, training the military and emergency services.
A passionate forager, hunter, angler and outdoorsman, he has appeared on television and web series numerous times, and is a regular contributor to podcasts, magazines and other publications.