Big-Fruit Hawthorn
Crataegus macrosperma
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. 41E3 — Crataegus macrosperma
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IOverview
Overview
Big-Fruit Hawthorn (Crataegus macrosperma) is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to the eastern United States and Canada, found in habitats ranging from Alabama to Wisconsin and from Maine to Virginia. Known for its edible fruit, this plant thrives in moist to wet soils of various types, including light sandy, medium, and heavy clay soils. It requires full sun to partial shade and can grow up to 8 meters tall. Native to specific regions such as Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, and Massachusetts, Big-Fruit Hawthorn is valued not only for its ornamental qualities but also for its fruit, which is edible.
Quick answers
What is Big-Fruit Hawthorn?
Big-Fruit Hawthorn (Crataegus macrosperma) is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to the eastern United States and Canada, found in habitats ranging from Alabama to Wisconsin and from Maine to Virginia.
What is Big-Fruit Hawthorn used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Big-Fruit Hawthorn
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Big-Fruit Hawthorn appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Big-Fruit Hawthorn support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Big-Fruit Hawthorn thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist to wet soils that are light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in temperate regions and can grow up to 8 meters tall. For propagation, use seeds or cuttings. The fruit is edible and can be harvested for various uses.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Mature size
8.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Big-Fruit Hawthorn for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Big-Fruit Hawthorn in a sunny spot and follow these beginner-friendly steps.
- 1
What you'll need
A young Big-Fruit Hawthorn sapling, garden gloves, a spade or trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring before new growth starts or in fall after leaves have dropped.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with moist, well-draining soil. Amend the soil with compost if needed.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young saplings from a nursery pot to your garden bed, ensuring roots are spread out.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist. Monitor for any signs of stress or pests.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide light watering during dry spells and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune in late winter before new growth starts. Harvest fruit when they turn bright red.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too sunny a spot, neglecting to prune, and not providing enough mulch.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Fruit
Edible uses: The Big-Fruit Hawthorn's fruit is edible and can be eaten raw or used in various preparations. Typically, the fruits are harvested when ripe and may be consumed fresh or incorporated into jams, jellies, and other preserves. They can also be dried for later use. SKIP
Other uses:Fragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 30 native
Broader regions
native:Massachusetts, Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Rhode I., Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Alabama, Masachusettes, Prince Edward I.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
XII
About this entry
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- Citation
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 41e3b9cb-d5f1-4267-8b5b-78e3477d31d7
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