Midland Hawthorn

Midland Hawthorn - Crataegus laevigata

Description

Shrub or small tree with spiny branches. Leaves not deeply lobed (rarely reaching half way to the midrib). Flowers white 9 to 12 mm and usually with 2 or 3 styles. Berry red generally with 2 or 3 stones.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Hedgerows and scrub and woodland.

When to see it

Early May to June.

Life History

Deciduous.

UK Status

Most common in central and southern England (south of the Humber). Uncommon in Wales, Scotland, south-west England and East Anglia.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. In the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire it was found in 280 of the 617 tetrads.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records

Photo of the association

Hawthorn-Buttercup Aphid

The aphid Dysaphis ranunculi causes a gall on the leaves of Hawthorns. These yellowish galls cause the leaf to turn down like an upturned boat, and contain deep grey waxy aphids. The galls may be flushed rosy pink.  It alternates its host between Hawthorns and Ranunculus species but is most often recorded on Hawthorn.