Batesburg Hawthorn

Crataegus munda (krah-TEE-gus MUN-duh)

Family: Rosaceae Native Shrub (3-15 ft)

Dwarf hawthorn is a small, deciduous native shrub with a compact habit found in the southwestern Coastal Plain and eastern Piedmont regions of North Carolina. They usually thrive in sandy habitats, open brush, or in pine or oak stands. It is also found in Virginia, as far south as Florida, and as far west as Mississippi. It is considered rare in North Carolina and is called dwarf because it grows only 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, making it the smallest of the hawthorns. Its dark green leaves are small, wedge-shaped, with rounded, serrated tips. The stems are narrow and have a zigzag pattern, and are loaded with thorns that are usually less than 1 inch long. White, five-petaled flowers appear from late March to April, and red pomes are present from September to October. This shrub is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae). The genus name Crataegus is derived from the Greek word kratos , meaning strength, and refers to the plant's hardwood. This plant prefers drier sites in sandy soils in sun to partial shade. Plants of this genus are usually adaptable to various soil and pH types. The distinguishing feature of this hawthorn species is its height of usually 3 feet tall, and its short thorns, less than 1 inch long. The hawthorn's flowers attract pollinators, its fruits provide a food source for the birds, and the thorns protect small mammals and birds. This species is on the watch list with a rating of S3 (vulnerable) per the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. It could potentially be used as a native wildlife plant in a naturalized area. It is not generally commercially sold. In a mass planting, its small size and many thorns make it a formidable security hedge. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for aphids, borers, fall webworms, Japanese beetles, lace bugs, leaf miners, sawflies, scale, spider mites, and tent caterpillars. Potential diseases include fire blight, cedar-hawthorn rust, cedar-quince rust, apple scab, leaf spot, and powdery mildew.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 65 attributes.