Can you eat hawthorn leaves

Known for its scientific name Crataegus mollis , fossils of the hawthorn found in the s date back to the middle of the Miocene Epoch, 15 million years ago.

The most popular variety of the hawthorn comes from the Central Asian and European group made up of about species. Often, it grows as a one-trunk tree with flowers that give off a rather unpleasant scent. The berries that it bears are usually used in a variety of herbal preparations. They are also considered to be a nutritious food source. The hawthorn fruit is characterized by its oblong, pear, or round shape.

The berries are generally of the same size of cultivated large blueberries. Its flesh is very similar to that of rosehip— dry and mealy. The seeds of the fruits in the Rosaceae family are known for containing an amygdalin compound which is basically cyanide that has bonded with sugar.

When eaten, this combination can transform into hydrogen cyanide as it travels to the small intestines. The lowest reported lethal dose of hydrogen cyanide in humans was 0. Meaning if you weigh 70 kg, your lowest lethal dose would be The magnificent multitude of spring flowers are a signature of May throughout Britain and the thorny boughs are part of many old Mayday rituals.

The young leaves, flower buds and berries are all edible, and the plants are increasingly valuable herbal medicines. In diverse places such as Devon, the Isle of Man, and the Highlands of Scotland, hawthorn has traditionally been used in folk medicine as a primary heart tonic, as well as being used for centuries to correctly balance high and low blood pressure.

There are around Crataegus species, of which many can be grown here in Britain. Some of the hawthorn species native to China, will produce much larger and tastier fruits than our native plants, and can be grown here without too much ado.

In the wild on these isles, Crataegus monogyna and Cratageus leavigata are almost identical looking and offer us very similar medicinal benefits, so we can use either one interchangeably as medicine or food. The generic name Crataegus stems from the Greek- Kratos meaning strength. The species name monogyna reveals that this species contains one mono seed gyna , whereas C. Hawthorns are members of the rose family, as their patterns reveal. They have oval-shaped leaves albeit in hawthorn's case often deeply-lobed , with serrated margins.

The flowers produce five green sepals behind the five white petals, surrounding the numerous stamens at the centre. You will likely find a pink tinge to ripe stamens, and some specimens show pink petals. The flowers are usually in full bloom during May, though some cultivars used in hedging flower earlier. Hawthorn fruits ripen through September, their red skin hiding the creamy yellow flesh. The texture when ripe is akin to the texture of avocado. I've found the duller red 'haws' to be tastier than the scarlet ones, producing apple tones.

At the base of the fruit you should see a five pointed star, similar to rowan Sorbus aucaparia and other members of the apple tribe. Hawthorn's branches are liberally decorated with sharp thorns, approximately 2. They can give you a nasty sore from a puncture wound, although not as bad as blackthorn Prunus spinosa. Be extra vigilant when foraging in and around these plants. In Britain, we can find it mostly anywhere up to altitudes of m, and classically as a principle component of a hedge from which it derives its common name - the word haw being a corruption of the old English word for hedge - haeg.

Hawthorns will also be found in woodlands especially at the edges , and on waysides and roadsides. Occasionally you will see it in little groves.

Hawthorns are also happy on their own in a great number of places. Various Crataegus species will be seen as amenity plantings in towns and cities. Parts used: Young leaves, flowering tops and berries. Hawthorn, like other trees, can give off a new growth spurt around the end of July, sometimes referred to as the lammas flush. I live in the wilds of Ireland, and so enjoy being amongst amazing Hawthorn. Hello, thank you for this insightful post.

I was always lead to believe a Hawthorn tree was planted for protection outside a house, much like a Rowen in Scotland — it is bad luck to cut it down. I also made your I think! Thank You Robin for such an interesting and informative write up about the Hawthorn.

I seem to be attracted to all things prickly. A couple of years ago I found a small seedling growing in my back garden, not knowing what it was I put it in a pot, it has been potted on a few times since, it is now in a round tub approx 12 inches deep by 15 inches across, standing now at about 5ft tall, it is the most perfect Hawthorn.

To begin with I thought it was a Pyracanthus, I had put one of them in about four years ago along with a Cotoneaster for the birds to feed on. Although my garden is postage stamp sized I am sure it will end up being planted in the ground. Thank you again. Forager myself in New Zealand, I am delighted that we are us forager on the rise. Keep the good work. At the moment I am collecting samphire, the people of my community does not know at all this marvelous plant.

At the moment,they big and delicious and full of oyster catcher nest as well as ducks. I serve them pickeld or sautee in garlic butter and peper. Bon appetit. Hooray, I have been scouring the internet because I was sure someone told me in my childhood that the young leaves were called bread and butter! Thank you! Pedant that I am. I used to eat the freshly picked leaves when I was a nipper.

An article that is wide ranging about the subject and took me back many years to my childhood wandering and eating young shoots in the spring. Excellent article. I love the sight and smell of hawthorn when it covers the overgrown hedges along the local cycle tracks, Glorious. Have made fruit leather from the haws by hand mashing, spreading out in a thin layer in a warm place to dry.

Concentrates the flavour better. Beautiful magical tree people — I have met the hawthorns of Tottenham marshes… their young leaves are called bread and cheese. And after doing a fire ceremony using the fallen twigs of a hawthorn community my grandmother passed away three days later. I was then told by a friend that burning hawthorn brings death in the family. Luckily it was timely for my grandmother. But worth passing on here. I agree with other comments that warning should come first.

Thanks for article. How depressing that would be to read a possible negative every time you looked up a beautiful plant. To immediately be greeted with fear and wariness.

I encourage respect for a plant, not fear. It is the readers responsibility to read any information thoroughly before experimenting with plants. It is also the readers responsibility to never put a plant in their mouth they are uncertain about. The wellbeing of a reader is theirs and theirs alone… I am not anyones parent.

Foraging is about empowering the individual. I do my best to include the warnings as I know of them. Yet no matter which way I present them, someone will not be happy. As a child I remember making dens under the overgrown hawthorn hedge. Decorating the boughs with ribbons and jewellry.

We used to snack on the young shoots in Spring and nibble on the berries which we called bread and cheese. I remember my mother would not allow the blossom indoors. The berries? Thanks Kevin — Glad to be of service. Yet is self-evident to myself. Enjoy the season! Well done Robin I had heard that the Hawthorn tree was used to surround farmers fields in the 18th century to keep unwanted out and the berries could be used for making jelly. Your information was way more extensive and informative then what I was able to find.

Thanks so much for sharing. Truly enlightening. Kevin — Glad you found my article useful. Re: wetland edibles, I will be covering those next year.

Thanks for this welcome article… I read in an old herbal that the tender young leaves were called Shepherds Lettuce as they would be put in their sandwiches. Rosie — I had never heard the leaves called Shepherds Lettuce before. Thanks for the heads up. Enjoyed the article and it has served as a wee reminder to add the it to my spring picking list of elderflower, wild garlic etc. I will be adding the hawthorn brandy to my normal bramble whisky, wild raspberry vodka and sloe gin next year!

Hope you have a lovely Christmas and best wishes for the new year. Thanks Carol — That is indeed my intention. Through my newsletter and blog to encourage folk to venture outside and engage with our green friends on a regular and seasonal basis. I really enjoyed reading this it was a real treat. Thankyou for this article , Hawthorne is indeed magical as I was drawn to making a flower essence tinture back in May and the very date it was ready I lost one of my beloved companions , Barney, my dog.

It is indeed a heart remedy and I have been so blessed to have this to hand to help with myself and my other dog and shared with others to soften the loss and grief of a loved one. Hi Robin, I was very interested to learn more about the Hawthorn.

I thought you would like to know I have your elusive tree outside my flat. I live on Hawthorn Drive in Ipswich and there are red and white ones planted along the road. I recently noticed one of these has mistletoe growing on it. I thought it was strange when I saw it.

There is also Deadly Nightshade growing around the trunk. Janice — Nice to have such mythical plants living so close by. I think what you have is rather special. Very informative article.