Crataegus uniflora
| Dwarf hawthorn (Crataegus uniflora) | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Crataegus uniflora |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Genus | Crataegus |
| Native range | Central and eastern USA to Mexico |
| Habit | Spreading shrub or small tree |
| Typical height | 2–12 ft |
| Habitat | Xeric to sub-xeric forests, roadsides and rock outcrops |
| Fruit | Green-yellow to dull red pomes; edible raw or cooked |
Crataegus uniflora is a spreading hawthorn in the rose family, Rosaceae. The accepted name is Crataegus uniflora; Crataegus bisulcata and Crataegus raleighensis are recorded synonyms or former names.[1][2] Dwarf hawthorn, One-flowered hawthorn, Oneflower Hawthorn and Thornapple are documented common names.[3]
Description[edit | edit source]
This species is a spreading shrub or small tree, reaching about 2–12 ft in the North Carolina record. It occurs in xeric to sub-xeric forest, roadsides, rock outcrops and other disturbed settings, and ranges across Central and eastern USA to Mexico.[1][3] The plant bears solitary white flowers and small pomes that range from green-yellow to dull red.[3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Crataegus uniflora occurs on the drier side of the moisture range, including xeric and sub-xeric sites. Use a freely draining soil rather than a permanently saturated one. After establishment it tolerates drought and occasional wetness, but it should not be treated as a wet-soil species.[3]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Full sun to partial shade is suitable. The species is reported as heat tolerant and wind tolerant, while poor maritime-salt tolerance makes exposed coastal salt conditions a poor match. Open air and good drainage fit the dry-site habitats in which it is recorded.[3]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
In North Carolina, solitary white flowers appear in April–May and fruit is available in September–October.[3] Use those months as a regional reference rather than a fixed range for every climate. After establishment, the species tolerates drought; irrigation should not turn a well-drained planting into continuously wet soil.[3]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Seed is the recommended propagation route for Crataegus uniflora.[3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The flowers are solitary and white, with flowering recorded in April–May in North Carolina. Pomes are generally borne singly or in groups of up to three. Fruit ranges from green-yellow through dull red and is available in September–October in that regional record.[3] Ripeness timing should therefore be adjusted to local seasonal development rather than read as a universal calendar date.
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The fruit is edible raw or cooked.[3] This does not establish universal food-safety, toxicity, or preparation guidance; fruit should not be treated as covered by a broader safety claim.