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Downy hawthorn, Crataegus submollis

 

 

Hawthorns belong to one of the most diverse genera in the world as regards species. More than a thousand species are thought to exist and more are constantly being added.

 

How do new species arise? Hawthorns cross-breed easily between themselves resulting in descendants with intermediary characteristics and difficult to identify. In Estonia hawthorns generally grow as tall shrubs, more seldom as low trees. Their bark, shoots and buds are sought after by deer, rabbits and small rodents, and the pruning only makes the shrubs denser. Species growing in parks and gardens are already more than sixty – the best known of them the downy hawthorn, Crataegus submollis.

 

In the western parts of Estonia some ten species grow naturally, habitats are forest verges and open areas, alvars and stone wall verges on the islands, developing well on calcareous soils and in sunshine. Some of the species have formed and spread in Estonia, and so are unique in the world. Examples are the Saaremaa hawthorn and the Viidumäe hawthorn.

 

The common or one-seeded hawthorn (Crataegus rhipidophylla or Crataegus monogyna) is the most common, by now already with ripe fruits. The so-called pome fruits are large and with a mealy taste; the ripe fruits are pleasant to nibble at despite the large seed. In the old times hawthorns were called  ”mealy berry trees”.