Bloomipedia
Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Photo: Gavin Slater via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Common hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

Introduced in the lower 48

Common hawthorn is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–May.

25states
2of our state lists
4,817U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Oregon, Washington

🚫
Regulated invasive plant in Oregon and Washington. It's on those states' official invasive plant lists (Oregon: "B" noxious weed (sale and transport prohibited); Washington: Class C noxious weed). Please don't plant or share it there. OAR 603-052-1200 WAC 16-750

Quick look

Crataegus monogyna, known as common hawthorn, may tree, whitethorn, one-seed hawthorn, or single-seeded hawthorn, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family, Rosaceae. It grows to about 10 metres tall, producing hermaphrodite flowers in late spring. The berry-like pomes contain a stone-encased seed.

  • It belongs to the Rosaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a tree with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 25 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as not native to Oregon and Washington. NatureServe
  • In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–May. iNaturalist
  • In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–May. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as mid spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 20 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 2,114 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #78 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,976 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #99 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist

State flower gift ideas

This one is a regulated invasive plant, so here are state flower gifts instead.

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,104 records)
Bloom time in each of our 2 states
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
OregonIntroducedApril–May2,114
WashingtonIntroducedApril–May1,976

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Oregon
Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
Washington
No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Washington.
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNon-toxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Haws” (Crataegus species), which covers the whole genus, lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Eating lots of any plant can still upset a pet's stomach. ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records common hawthorn in 25 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin; District of Columbia.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Crook, Douglas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, Yamhill.

Washington counties with USDA records: Benton, Clark, King, Lewis, Pacific, Pend Oreille, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla.

More Oregon flowers

Sources