Calycine hawthorn (Crataegus rhipidophylla, Bull. Soc. Bot. France 18: 447 (1871 publ. 1872))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: Gand.

Bibliography: Bull. Soc. Bot. France 18: 447 (1871 publ. 1872)

Year: 1872

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Crataegus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Caucasus

Description

The Calycine hawthorn, known by its scientific name Crataegus rhipidophylla, is a fascinating and versatile shrub or small tree that belongs to the Rosaceae family. This species was first documented in the Bulletin of the Botanical Society of France in 1871 by the botanist Gandoger, indicating its long-standing recognition in the botanical community.

Distribution:
Calycine hawthorn is native to a wide range of regions extending from Europe to the Caucasus. It thrives in various habitats, from dense woodlands and hedgerows to open fields and rocky slopes. This broad distribution suggests an inherent adaptability to different climatic and soil conditions, making it a resilient species in its native zones.

Botanical Features:
This deciduous plant is characterized by its sturdy, woody structure and distinctive, lobed leaves that change color with the seasons, offering a vibrant display of foliage from spring through autumn. During the flowering season, the Calycine hawthorn produces clusters of delicate white to pinkish flowers, which are not only visually appealing but also attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

Ecological Importance:
Calycine hawthorn serves as a crucial component of its ecosystem. The dense foliage provides excellent cover and nesting sites for birds. Furthermore, its flowers and fruits serve as significant food sources for insects and wildlife. The red, berry-like fruits, commonly referred to as haws, ripen in the autumn and are a valuable food source for birds and small mammals during the winter months.

Cultural and Medicinal Uses:
Historically, Calycine hawthorn has been utilized for both ornamental and practical purposes. Its dense, thorny branches make it an effective natural hedge, promoting biodiversity by serving as a barrier and habitat. Medicinally, parts of the plant have been used in traditional herbal remedies. The haws are often employed in concoctions aimed at improving cardiovascular health, given their purported benefits in regulating blood pressure and improving circulation, although these uses should be approached with caution and under professional guidance.

Cultivation and Care:
For gardeners and land managers, Calycine hawthorn is relatively low-maintenance. It prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate partial shade to full sun. Given the right conditions, it can be a long-lived and robust addition to gardens and natural landscapes. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages healthy growth, while also preventing potential diseases common to hawthorn species.

Overall, Crataegus rhipidophylla stands as a notable member of the Rosaceae family, offering ecological benefits, aesthetic beauty, and historical medicinal value. Its resilience and adaptability ensure its continued presence across its native range, contributing to the biodiversity and environmental health of the regions it inhabits.

Common Names

Deu: großkelchiger weißdorn i.w.s., krummkelchiger großkelch-weißdorn
Dan: koral-hvidtjørn, hagetorn, havntorn, hvidtorn
Nob: begerhagtorn
Nno: begerhagtorn
Swe: flikhagtorn, spetshagtorn, suippuorapihlaja
Nor: hagetorn, havntorn, hvidtorn
Fin: suippuorapihlaja
Nld: koraalmeidoorn
En: Calycine Hawthorn
Ar: زعرور أوروبي
Az: Əyrikasacıq yemişan
Be: Глог адагнутачашалісцікавы
Zh: 密德蘭山楂
Da: Koral-hvidtjørn, Hagetorn, Havntorn, Hvidtorn
Nl: Koraalmeidoorn
Et: Harilik viirpuu
Fi: Suippoliuskaorapihlaja, Suippuorapihlaja
Fr: Aubépine à grand calice, Épine à feuilles en éventail, Aubépine à style bombé
De: Langkelchiger Weissdorn, Großkelchiger Weißdorn, Großkelchiger Weißdorn i.w.S., Krummkelchiger Großkelch-Weißdorn
Hu: Rózsaképű galagonya
It: Biancospino con foglie a ventaglio
Lt: Miškinė gudobelė
No: Begerhagtorn, Hagetorn, Havntorn, Hvidtorn
Nb: Begerhagtorn
Nn: Begerhagtorn
Fa: زالزالک اروپایی
Sv: Spetshagtorn, Flikhagtorn, Suippuorapihlaja
Uk: Глід кривочашечковий
: Calycine hawthorn

Synonyms

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Krym (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Sep 11, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 30, 2021 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2022 by Alboss (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 30, 2021 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2012 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2012 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:724131-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/9047268)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Crataegus rhipidophylla Gand.)

Specifications

Growth