Cockspur hawthorn Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cockspur hawthorn

A cultivated form
Scientific classification
Genus:	Crataegus
Species:	crus-galli
Synonyms
Synonyms list Crataegus acutifolia Sarg. Crataegus albanthera Sarg. Crataegus arborea Beadle Crataegus barrettiana Sarg. Crataegus calophylla Sarg. Crataegus candens Sarg. Crataegus cherokeensis Sarg. Crataegus consueta Sarg. Crataegus hamata E.J.Palmer Crataegus hannibalensis E.J.Palmer Crataegus infera Sarg. Crataegus leptophylla Sarg. Crataegus limnophylla Sarg. Crataegus ludovicensis Sarg. Crataegus monosperma Sarg. Crataegus pachyphylla Sarg. Crataegus paradoxa Sarg. Crataegus parkiae Sarg. Crataegus permera Sarg. Crataegus phaneroneura Sarg. Crataegus polyclada Sarg. Crataegus pyracanthoidesBeadle Crataegus regalis Beadle Crataegus rubrifolia Sarg. Crataegus rudis Sarg. Crataegus severa Sarg. Crataegus strongylophylla Sarg. Crataegus tantula Sarg. Crataegus tardiflora Sarg. Crataegus tenax Ashe Crataegus tenuispina Sarg. Crataegus truncata Sarg.

The cockspur hawthorn (scientific name: Crataegus crus-galli) is a type of hawthorn tree. It's also called the cockspur thorn. This tree grows naturally in eastern North America, from Ontario in Canada all the way down to Texas and Florida in the USA. People often plant it in gardens and parks because it's a beautiful tree. Scientists think it's one of the parent trees for another hawthorn species called Crataegus persimilis.

About the Cockspur Hawthorn
- Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit
- Thorns
Growing Cockspur Hawthorn
What Can It Be Used For?
Images for kids
See also

About the Cockspur Hawthorn

This tree is usually small. It can grow up to about 10 meters (33 feet) tall. It can also spread out to about 8 meters (26 feet) wide. When it's young, it has a round shape. As it gets older, it spreads out more and becomes flatter.

Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit

The leaves of the cockspur hawthorn are about 5 to 6 centimeters (2 to 2.4 inches) long. They are a shiny dark green color. In the fall, these leaves change to beautiful gold or red colors.

The tree produces white flowers. Many people find the smell of these flowers a bit unpleasant. After the flowers, the tree grows small fruits. These fruits are called pomes, like tiny apples. They are usually red, but their exact color can be different.

Thorns

Most cockspur hawthorn trees that grow in the wild have very sharp thorns. These thorns can be several centimeters long. They are a good defense for the tree.

Growing Cockspur Hawthorn

The cockspur hawthorn is a very popular ornamental tree. This means people plant it because it looks nice. A special type of this tree, called var. inermis, is very popular because it doesn't have thorns.

Many other types of wild cockspur hawthorn trees would also be great for landscaping. Landscaping is about making outdoor spaces look good. Some types of this tree even have yellow fruits.