Crataegus punctata
Crataegus punctata
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Pl. 66AC — Crataegus punctata
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IOverview
Overview
Crataegus punctata, commonly known as the prickly hawthorn, is a deciduous tree or shrub native to northeastern and north-central United States, including Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ontario. This plant thrives in moist to wet soils of light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) textures, preferring full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in zones 4-8 and can grow up to 10 meters tall. Known for its edible fruit, C. punctata has been used for culinary purposes. Its distinctive features include thorny branches and small, white flowers that give way to bright red berries in autumn.
Quick answers
What is Crataegus punctata?
Crataegus punctata, commonly known as the prickly hawthorn, is a deciduous tree or shrub native to northeastern and north-central United States, including Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ontario.
What is Crataegus punctata used for?
Traditionally used for immune support, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Crataegus punctata
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Crataegus punctata appears in herbal sources around seasonal wellness traditions, often as a tincture. 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.
- Crataegus species have a long history in European herbal medicine for digestive support, traditionally used to aid digestion and relieve symptoms of indigestion when consumed as a tea or tincture.
The mechanism is not fully characterised but involves the presence of flavonoids such as hyperoside and rutin which may help improve gastric motility and reduce inflammation in the digestive tract.
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.
Crataegus punctata support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Crataegus punctata thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist to wet soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 4-8 and can grow up to 10 meters tall, making it suitable for both trees and shrubs. For optimal growth, ensure the soil remains consistently moist. Propagation can be done through seeds or cuttings. The fruit of this plant is edible and can be harvested for various uses.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Habit
Tree, Shrub
Mature size
10.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Crataegus punctata for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Crataegus punctata in a sunny spot, and you'll have a low-maintenance tree for years to come.
- 1
What you'll need
A young Crataegus punctata sapling or seedling.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, or fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with well-draining soil that's light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). Ensure it gets full sun to partial shade.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young saplings from a nursery pot into your garden. Dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Mulch around the base to retain moisture.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water deeply once a week during dry spells and prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune in late winter to remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Harvest fruit when it turns bright red.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in poorly drained soil, and not providing enough sunlight are common issues.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Fruit
Edible uses: The fruit of Crataegus punctata is edible and can be eaten raw or used in various preparations. Typically, the fruit is harvested when ripe and consumed fresh, added to salads, or made into jams and jellies. It can also be dried for later use. Skip the complex recipes; these simple uses highlight its natural flavor and benefits.
Other uses:Fragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
26 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
26 native · 0 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 26 native
Broader regions
native:Massachusetts, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Masachusettes, Rhode 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
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
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