Plant Details

Crataegus mollis

Red Haw, Downy hawthorn

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

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Common names

14 names · 12 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Downy hawthorn[1]
  • many-stemmed cockspurthorn[1]
  • Red Haw
Other languages (11)
Dutch
  • Meidoorn
French
  • Aubépine molle
Alabama
  • Chittiɬhòmma[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 绯红山楂[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 緋紅山楂[1]
Czech
  • hloh měkký[1]
Estonian
  • pehme viirpuu[1]
Finnish
  • pilviorapihlaja[1]
Lithuanian
  • Švelnioji gudobelė[1]
Russian
  • Боярышник мягкий[1]
Slovak
  • hloh mäkký[1]
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 mollis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Source records
  • downy hawthorn — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 54825; Crataegus mollis.
  • many-stemmed cockspurthorn — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 54825; Crataegus mollis.
  • hloh měkký — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 54825; Crataegus mollis.
  • pehme viirpuu — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 54825; Crataegus mollis.
  • Švelnioji gudobelė — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 54825; Crataegus mollis.
  • Chittiɬhòmma — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 54825; Crataegus mollis.
  • Боярышник мягкий — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 54825; Crataegus mollis.
  • 绯红山楂 — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 54825; Crataegus mollis.
  • pilviorapihlaja — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 54825; Crataegus mollis.
  • 緋紅山楂 — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 54825; Crataegus mollis.
  • hloh mäkký — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 54825; Crataegus mollis.

General information

Scientific name: Crataegus mollis
Accepted name (Kew): Crataegus mollis (Torr. & A.Gray) Scheele 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: Red Haw, Downy hawthorn
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Fruit tree, Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 6.1–12.19 m

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

Sources [2]
Spread: 6.1–12.19 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: Erect, Oval, Pyramidal, Rounded

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

Sources [2]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

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

Sources [2]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

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:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Wood, Hedge

Description

Fruit - can be consumed raw or cooked. The taste is slightly sour, dry, and can be mealy. This fruit is also often used for making jelly and jams. The fruits are quite large, about 20-25 mm in diameter, and have thick flesh. In the center of the fruit, there are up to five fairly large seeds that often stick together, making it seem like you're eating a cherry-like fruit with one seed. A drink can be made from the twigs, which resembles tea.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/08
Harvest ends: 31/10

Crown

Crown shape: Rounded, with spreading branches
Sources [2]
Crown density: Dense 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 1436509; name ID 2946180; Crataegus mollis (Torr. & A.Gray) Scheele.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Crataegus mollis — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: Crown shapeHeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Crown shape: Description: crown architecture
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .