Common hawthorn is a serious invasive exotic plant in our region. It grows as a large shrub or small tree, with thorny dense branches. It can form dense thickets that outcompete native plants.
It generally has a single stem with a dense crown of branches.
Note the dense tangled bushy crown, and straggling branches emerging from the crown – this is a typical shape of common hawthorn. This specimen was photographed in Third Street Park in Nanaimo, near VIU. Common hawthorn is highly abundant in this area, significantly replacing native vegetation.
The foliage of common hawthorn is dense. Leaves are deeply lobed, but quite variable. Some specimens have very deeply lobed leaves, others less so.
Deeply lobed leaves, and thorns of common hawthorn. Thorns are most pronounced on younger stems. Photo credit: Eenstijlige Meidoorn via WikimediaDeeply lobed leaves and clusters of white 5-petaled flowers of common hawthorn in spring. The flowers are quite fragrant, but many people find the smell unpleasant. Photo credit: Lynda StevensClusters of white flowers in spring. Note the 5-petaled flower so common among members of the Rosaceae family (e.g. compare to Rubus parviflorus or Rosa nutkana). Note the deeply lobed leaves. Photo credit: Lynda StevensDistinctive clusters of red fruit of common hawthorn. The fruit is used as a winter food for many birds, which contributes to the spread of the plant in our landscape. Photo credit: Lynda Stevens
