FNPS Plant Database
Crataegus crus-galli
cockspur hawthorn
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Nomenclature
Common Name:
cockspur hawthorn
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Crataegus crus-galli
Family:
Rosaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
tree
Size:
20-30 ft tall by 20-30 ft wide
Life Span:
long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
white
Fruit Color:
red
Phenology:
deciduous; blooms in early spring, with fruit ripening late spring-summer
Noted For:
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
small specimen tree; slow growing; hedge
Considerations:
thorns of up to 3 inches long from branches and trunk
Availability:
Propagation:
seed, cuttings; unlikely to breed true from seed
Light:
Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry
Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Loam, Sand
Soil pH:
Suitable to Grow In:
8A, 8B, 9A, 9B
USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Ecology
Wildlife:
Birds and other wildlife consume the fruit. Browsed by deer and rabbits.
Larval food for hummingbird clearwing moth (Hemaris thysbe), striped hairstreak butterfly(Satyrium liparops), and blinded sphinx moth (Paonias excaecata).
Attracts pollinators, especially important for native bees.
Native Habitats:
open woods, upland woods
Natural Range in Florida:
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Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
