There are dozens of recognized hawthorn species
that are native to Alabama, Georgia,
and/or Tennessee.Overall thousands of species have been
described, but many of these are synonymous or include the numerous hybrids.Others are rare, having a range restricted to
little more than the type locality if it even still exists.Detailed range maps are lacking for these as
well.Examples include several named for
the nearest city, including Rome hawthorn, Crataegus aemulaBeadle, PhoenixCity hawthorn C. annosaBeadle, Montgomery hawthorn, C.
arborea Beadle, Valley Head hawthorn, C.
austromontana Beadle, Albertville hawthorn, C.
mendosa Beadle, and Gadsden hawthorn, C.
rigens Beadle, all of which were discovered by C. D. Beadle. He also name several more species besides over a couple dozen that are considered synonymous with other species sometimes including several that synonymous with just one species.
Some species that are often included
in guidebooks because of being more widespread and/or easily recognizable due a unique key feature being part of the scientific and/or vernacular
name include: blueberry hawthorn, C. brachycantha Sarg. & Engelm., cockspur hawthorn, C. crus-galli L., yellowleaf hawthorn, C. flava Aiton, parsley hawthorn, C. marshalii Eggl., downy hawthorn, C. mollisScheele, littlehip hawthorn, C. spatualata Michx., fleshy hawthorn, C. succulentaSchrad. ex Link, three flower hawthorn, C. triflora Chapm., dwarf hawthorn, C. uniflora Münchh., and green hawthorn, C. viridis L.
The more important hawthorns are commonly
cultivated as ornamentals such as Washington
hawthorn, C. phaenopyrum (L. f.) Medik., or for
fruit such as the three different large fruited southern species know as
mayhaws that include mayhaw, C.
aestevalis (Walter) Torr. & A. Gray, riverflat hawthorn, C. opacaHook. & Arn.,
and to a lesser extent rusty hawthorn, C.
rufula Sarg. The fruit is a pome like an
apple, but the size depending on the species is about the same as either wild or cultivated blueberries.The main use
of mayhaws is for jelly and those with the reddest fruit makes the most
attractive product, but it is still considered the best jelly in the world
regardless of the color.They are hardy at least
through zone 7, but growth may be slower and an occasional crop is lost due to
late freezes, which is partially due to the low chilling hour requirements of
most cultivars.The fruit also ripens
about a month later in north Alabama than it
does in south Alabama. The state champion mayhaw is at a u-pick farm
in Foley, Alabama,
less than a mile east of Lambert’s Café, the tree is 20 feet tall, has a 16
inch trunk circumference, and an average limb spread of 20 feet.Most other hawthorns have either not been
nominated, are considered to be shrubs rather than trees, or do not meet the
minimum requirements to gain champion status in Alabama with the exception of a
dotted hawthorn, C. punctata Jacq., in Madison County that is 43 feet tall, has a circumference of 18 inches, and an average limb spread of 15 feet, and now a littlehip hawthorn on the silver trail at DeSoto State Park in DeKalb that is 21 feet tall, has a circumference of 14 inches, and an average canopy spread of 18 feet.
