Plant Details

Crataegus aestivalis

Eastern Mayhaw, May hawthorn, Mayhaw, Apple Hawthorn

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Crataegus aestivalis.

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Common names

10 names · 6 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Apple Hawthorn
  • Eastern Mayhaw[1]
  • May hawthorn
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Other languages (5)
Dutch
  • Vruchtmeidoorn
French
  • Aubépine de mai
Alabama
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Crataegus aestivalis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • eastern mayhaw — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 160965; Crataegus aestivalis.
  • Mayhaw — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 160965; Crataegus aestivalis.
  • Chommilòmhi — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 160965; Crataegus aestivalis.
  • Sattilbi — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 160965; Crataegus aestivalis.
  • 五月楂 — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 160965; Crataegus aestivalis.
  • 五月楂 — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 160965; Crataegus aestivalis.

General information

Scientific name: Crataegus aestivalis
Accepted name (Kew): Crataegus aestivalis (Walter) Torr. & A.Gray View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Rosaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Crataegus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Eastern Mayhaw, May hawthorn, Mayhaw, Apple Hawthorn
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Fruit tree, Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 3.05–12.19 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Spread: 10.67–12.19 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [2]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [2]
Growth habit: Horizontal, Rounded, Spreading, Vase

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [2]
Soil moisture:
Frequent Standing Water, Moist, Occasional Flooding, Occasionally Wet

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [2]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [2]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [2]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [2]

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Wood, Food forest, Fragrant

Description

Fruit - can be eaten both raw and cooked. This fruit is juicy and sour in taste with a pleasant flavor. It has a diameter of up to 2 cm. The fruit is popular in parts of Southern North America, where it is often gathered in large quantities in the wild. Due to its sour taste, it is a favored choice for preserves and jelly. Additionally, the fruit can be dried for later use. In the center of the fruit, there are up to five relatively large seeds that often stick together, resembling the experience of eating a cherry-like fruit with a single seed.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/08
Harvest ends: 30/09

Crown

Crown shape: Rounded
Sources [2]
Crown density: Semi-open crown

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 840805; name ID 2944742; Crataegus L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1435849; name ID 2944773; Crataegus aestivalis (Walter) Torr. & A.Gray.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Crataegus aestivalis — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: Crown shapeHeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Crown shape: Description: crown architecture
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 35 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .