**Washington hawthorn

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**Crataegus phaenopyrum
WASHINGTON HAWTHORN

Rosaceae
E. North America

Location: map coordinates
Q-11 (south side of Baker Building) N 39°11'9'' W 75°32'44'', and
Q-24 (southeast of Delaware Hall) N 39°11'7'' W 75°32'34''

Planting history: presently unknown.
  • small deciduous tree
  • etymology: Crataegus from Greek kratos = strength (for hard wood); phaenopyrum = appearance of pear
  • leaves simple, alternate, toothed, often lobed
  • flowers attractive, white
  • fruit bright red, attractive; edible, especially in jams, jellies (contain a lot of pectin) and tea, but not especially good raw; also food for birds in winter
  • branches with distinctive long thorns
  • fruits and flowers used in herbal folk medicine as heart tonic; leaves and flowers used in Germany as treatment for early congestive heart failure
  • difficult to identify to species, due to hybridization and genetic changes

**Adventive species (not native to Delaware, but native to N. America and now growing wild in Delaware), in Delaware New Castle County piedmont


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    There are 2 labeled Washington hawthorn trees.
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