Crataegus douglasii

Black Hawthorns feature sharp thorns measuring around 3 cm in length. Their leaves are thick and leathery, with 5 to 9 lobes appearing only near the tips. These shrubs produce clusters of white, strongly scented flowers. The fruit is a purplish-black, apple-like berry approximately 1 cm long. European cultivars are valued for their ornamental flowers and fruit. Black Hawthorns are effective for soil stabilization due to their extensive spreading roots that prevent erosion. They also propagate easily through root suckers. When used as a hedge, Hawthorns form a dense, thorny barrier that is difficult to penetrate.