Hawthorn

Hawthorn is native to cool-climate areas of Europe, Asia and eastern North America. It belongs to the pome-fruit group of the rose family and the resemblance of the fruits to miniature apples can easily be seen and tasted. Hawthorns are robust, frost-hardy, deciduous trees, most of which are compact enough even for small gardens. They are sun-lovers and not fussy about soil type or drainage. Generally they occur on moist, deep, fine-textured soils. 

The leaves are thick and leathery.  The branches often have a zig-zag shape.  (Keane, p. 13)

Hawthorns provide both food and protective nesting areas for birds. (Encyclopædia Britannica, n.d.)

You can use the leaves in salad or in tea.  Gather them anytime before they change colour. (Stephenson, n.d.)

You can also eat the flowers or use them in tea.  The flowers have an unpleasant smell and taste slightly bitter. (Stephenson, n.d.) 

You can use Howthorn berries for jams, jellies, and baking.  The berries are sour.  They usually taste better if you wait until after a frost before harvesting.  (Stephenson, n.d.)

 

Indigenous people use Hawthorn for its heart-healthy properties (Encyclopedia.com).  It helps circlulation in the arteries by smoothing the muscles and increasing blood flow (Keane, p. 14).

Studies have confirmed the use of Hawthorn to reduce blood pressure (Foster & Duke, p. 311).