Hawthorne Berry (Crataegus species). The popular Hawthorne or
thornapple, often grow as a lawn specimen, yields colorful berries that
are excellent for making jams and jellies. Hawthorne berries are also
recommended as a heart medicine by homeopathic physicians; in fact,
prescription tablets made form the berries of Crateaeful oxycantha, the
English hawthorne, are available in the United States and are claimed by
some to both treat and prevent heart disease.
Many medicines made from the berries can be obtained in Europe. The best
hawthorns for jams are two new varieties available from Wholesaler Edward
H. Scanlon & Associates, 7621 Lewis Road, Olmsted Falls, Ohio 44138 (your
local nurseryman can order them fro you).
Crataegus Pinnatifida Major. A variety of the Chinese big leaf
Hawthorne that grows up to 20 feet tall has dark, glossy foliage and red
fruit 5/8 inch or more in diameter, and is sometime pear shaped.
Crataegus Mollis. The scarlet Hawthorne, or red haw, or downy
hawthorn grows to 25 feet, has hairy branches, slightly smaller red
fruits, and does very well in poor soils.
Hawthorne flowers were often used to celebrate May Day in England and
became a symbol of spring, often being called the May tree by poets.
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