Crataegus monogyna, commonly known as common hawthorn, is a deciduous shrub or small tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. It is a widespread species across much of Europe and is well represented in Portugal, where it forms part of traditional rural landscapes, woodland edges and natural hedgerows.
Recognised for its thorny branches, white spring blossoms and bright red fruits, hawthorn is one of the most characteristic wild trees of temperate European ecosystems.
In Vale do Lourêdo, Crataegus monogyna occurs in woodland margins, thickets, scrubland and humid low-altitude habitats. The original page notes that it is present in the woods of the valley and that it generally prefers wetter soils, although it is also a very resistant species.
These conditions make hawthorn well suited to the mosaic landscape of northern Portugal, where forest edges, meadows and rural pathways create favourable environments for this species.
Common hawthorn is usually a small deciduous tree or shrub, often with an irregular, rounded and dense crown. The page describes it as potentially reaching up to 18 metres, although it usually remains much smaller, often below 4 metres. Its trunk is generally smooth and brownish-grey, while the branches bear long thorns emerging near the leaf axils.
The leaves are dark green and glossy on the upper side, paler underneath, and distinctly lobed with serrated edges. Flowering usually takes place between March and June, producing clusters of fragrant white, sometimes pinkish flowers. Later in the season, the plant develops small fleshy red fruits known as haws, visible from May to October.
Crataegus monogyna plays an important ecological role in rural and semi-natural habitats. Its flowers attract a variety of pollinating insects, while its leaves and fruits provide food for many animal species. The page also notes that the fruits are particularly valuable for birds during colder months, when food becomes scarcer, helping with seed dispersal through droppings.
Because of its dense and thorny structure, hawthorn also provides shelter and nesting protection for wildlife, making it a highly valuable species in biodiversity-rich landscapes.