SafePlants

Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet' (Red Hawthorn)

The 'Paul's Scarlet' Hawthorn, also known as Red Hawthorn or Red May, is a cultivar of Crataegus laevigata prized for its vibrant double red flowers.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant has spiny branches.
• The plant produces berries.

Considerations for Children

• This plant has spiny branches.
• The plant produces berries.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet'
• Common Names: Red Hawthorn, Red May
• Genus: Crataegus
• Crataegus belongs to a genus of deciduous trees and shrubs.

Distribution and Habitat

• Hawthorn is native to the UK and across Europe.
• It is often seen in hedgerows.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• 'Paul's Scarlet' Hawthorn is a small tree.
• It features double red flowers that appear in May.
• The leaves are lobed or toothed, turning orange and dark-red in autumn.
• It produces red, oval berries called haws in autumn.
• Some varieties, like Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis, are thornless.

Ecological Role

• The flowers are pollinated by insects.
• The red berries (haws) are consumed by birds.
• Hawthorn hedging can form a secure barrier due to its thorns.

Quirky Facts

• By custom, felling a hawthorn was thought to bring bad luck.