cockspur hawthorn
Crataegus crus-galli
The thorns are modified branches that are woody and strong enough to puncture leather boots and tractor tires.
- Scientific name
- Crataegus crus-galli
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Rosales › Rosaceae › Crataegus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous forest borders, open woods, pastures, thickets, and riparian slopes
- Diet
- Autotrophic; synthesizes nutrients through photosynthesis using sunlight, water, and soil minerals
- Range
- United States, Canada
- Size
- 5–10 m tall with a crown spread of 6–10 m
- Lifespan
- 50–100 yr
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Susceptible to cedar-hawthorn rust, fire blight, and land clearing for development or agriculture
- Safe to approach?
- This plant is mechanically hazardous due to exceptionally long, rigid thorns capable of puncturing footwear and heavy clothing. Exercise caution when walking near thickets or pruning branches. Thorn punctures carry bacteria and fungi; if punctured, clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water, inspect for broken thorn fragments, and seek medical attention if signs of infection occur.
Crataegus crus-galli is a species of hawthorn known by the common names cockspur hawthorn and cockspur thorn . It is native to eastern North America from Ontario to Texas to Florida, and it is widely used in horticulture. This is a small tree growing up to about 10 meters tall and 8 meters wide, rounded in form when young and spreading and flattening as it matures. The leaves are 5 to 6 centimeters long, glossy dark green...
Photo: Étienne Lacroix-Carignan, CC0, via iNaturalist
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