Very attractive small tree. Leaves are smaller than other Hawthorns and spoon-shaped. Beautiful exfoliating (peeling) bark is gray,orange and brown. Typical clusters of white flowers produce relatively small red fruit that are very showy. Useful small tree that will feed birds and small mammals and provide cover for nesting. Found naturally in three counties in southwest Missouri.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Littlehip Hawthorn
Crataegus spathulata
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Red
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Sun Exposure
Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Cover, Food/Birds, Food/Small Animals, Nesting
Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
20 to
30
feet
Spread:
15 to
25
feet
Size
Height: 20 to
30
feet
Spread: 15 to
25
feet
Size
Height: 20 to
30
feet
Spread: 15 to
25
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Nice for ornamental berries it produces, small specimen tree for small gardens/areas.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Very hardy and adaptable to soil types. Grows best in full sun.
Special Features
Interesting Bark
Special Usage
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.