Crataegus monogyna
Hawthorn
(c) Denys Vynokurov, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Rosaceae family, recognized by single style and deeply lobed leaves.
Hawthorn is a naturalized shrub found in northern coastal California, northern coastal and coastal ranges, and San Francisco Bay Area regions in scattered places at an elevation of 500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white flowers with pink-purple anthers approximately 13 to 16 millimeters in diameter. Growing with distinctive thorny branches and a spreading habit, it forms a dense shrub with multiple stems. Its leaves are widely ovate, deeply sharp-lobed, and typically 3 to 5 centimeters long, forming short shoots with intricate leaf structures. The fruit is an elliptical to nearly spherical red to deep red drupe approximately 10 millimeters in diameter, containing a single stone.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; single style and deeply lobed leaves are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Naturalized in scattered places
Elevation: 500 m
Outside California: temperate North America, native to temp western Eurasia
Bloom period
Crataegus monogyna blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Ribes: Ribes lacks thorns and has maple-scented leaves; Crataegus has sharp thorns and unscented foliage.; vs Pyracantha: Pyracantha has narrow, unlobed evergreen leaves; Crataegus has broad, deeply lobed leaves that drop in fall.; vs Quercus: Quercus lacks thorns and has acorns; Crataegus has sharp thorns and small apple-like fruits.; vs Prunus: Prunus has smooth-edged or finely toothed leaves; Crataegus has prominently lobed leaves beyond the middle.; vs Pyrus: Pyrus has unlobed oval leaves and pear-shaped fruits; Crataegus has deeply lobed leaves and small round fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crataegus monogyna native to California?
No. Crataegus monogyna is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Crataegus monogyna bloom?
Crataegus monogyna blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Crataegus monogyna belong to?
Crataegus monogyna is in the Rosaceae family, genus Crataegus.
Is Crataegus monogyna invasive in California?
Crataegus monogyna is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Crataegus monogyna grow in?
Crataegus monogyna grows in Naturalized in scattered places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.