Content
- The native types of hawthorn
- Mystic hawthorn
- The hawthorn species found in our regions
- growth habit
- Upon closer inspection, differences are apparent
- Ornamental forms of hawthorn
- Tips & Tricks
The native types of hawthorn
As the hawthorn voluntarily crosses even without targeted breeding, there are numerous types of hawthorn, which are very similar in appearance and growth. About two hundred to three hundred species are known worldwide, of which about twenty thrive in Europe and only three wildly in Germany.
Mystic hawthorn
The hawthorn is mentioned as early as the 1st century in the writings of Dioscorides. Hawthorn leaves decorate the gothic portal of the Cathedral of Reims and a capital of the Naumburg Cathedral. The crown of thorns of Christ is said to have been woven from hawthorn, which brought the woodland the German name of the thorn thorn. Hawthorn was considered miraculous in the Middle Ages and its branches were set up to protect against evil spirits.
The hawthorn species found in our regions
The distinction of the varieties is somewhat difficult, since they are almost identical in appearance and appearance at first glance. These species occur in Germany:
growth habit
The hawthorn grows as a heavily branched bush or small tree with a spreading crown. In the spring, the woods adorn themselves with numerous pleasantly fragrant umbels. From them develop until autumn the bright red, spherical and four to eight millimeters large pseudoscience.
Upon closer inspection, differences are apparent
The rich green foliage of the Common Hawthorn is oval shaped and lobes three to five times. In contrast, the leaves of the branch-whitethorn hawthorn are always lobed three times and show rounded serrated sections.
The flowers of the common hawthorn bear only one style, while the flowers of the branched hawthorn have two or three styles.
The fruits of the Common Hawthorn contain a single stone. The Zweigriffelige hawthorn, however, forms fruit with two to three seeds.
Ornamental forms of hawthorn
Asian and North American cultivars with slightly larger and densely populated flower clusters are popular and undemanding ornamental shrubs in our gardens. With the colorful autumn foliage and the big fruits, these hawthorn species set pretty color accents in autumn. Unlike other fruit-bearing woody plants such as the firethorn, the berries are not very attractive to birds.
Tips & Tricks
Leaves, flowers and fruits of hawthorn are a gentle natural remedy. Mixed with other fruits, the hawthorn berries can be used to prepare delicious jams and jellies.