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Crataegus
 

This article is about the plant. For other uses, see Hawthorn.

Crataegus (Hawthorn) is a large genus of shrubs and small trees in the family Rosaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia and North America.

They are characterized by their small, apple-like fruits and thorny branches. The fruits are sometimes known as "haws", from which the name derived. The name hawthorn was originally applied to the species native to northern Europe, especially the Common Hawthorn C. monogyna, but is now applied to the entire genus, and also to the related Asian genus Rhaphiolepis.

Crataegus is native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The number of species in the genus depends on taxonomic interpretation, with numerous apomictic microspecies; some botanists recognise a thousand or more species, while others reduce the number to 200 or fewer.

Hawthorns provide food and shelter for many species of birds and mammals, and the flowers are important for many nectar-feeding insects. Hawthorns are also used as food plants by the larvae of a large number of Lepidoptera species - see list of Lepidoptera which feed on Hawthorns.

In Celtic lore, the hawthorn plant was used commonly for rune inscriptions along with Yew and Apple. It was once said to heal the broken heart.

Many species and hybrids are used as ornamental and street trees. The Common Hawthorn is extensively used in Europe as a hedge plant. Several cultivars of the Midland Hawthorn C. laevigata have been selected for their pink or red flowers. Hawthorns are among the trees most recommended for water-conservation landscapes.

Hawthorn is also used as a herb to lower blood pressure, and treat some heart related diseases.

Selected species
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Uses

Culinary use
The fruits of the species Crataegus pinnatifida (Chinese Hawthorn), which are tart, bright red, and resemble small crabapple fruits, are used to make many kinds of Chinese snacks, including haw flakes and tánghúlú (糖葫芦, literally "sugar gourd", consisting of candied hawthorn fruits on bamboo skewers). This latter food is popular with children in northern China, where it is a traditional winter snack *." target="_blank" >The fruits are also used to produce jams, jellies, juices, alcoholic beverages, and other drinks [http://www.itmonline.org/arts/crataegus.htm.

Medicinal use
The dried fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida (called 山楂 or shān zhā in Chinese) are used in traditional Chinese medicine, primarily as a digestive aid. A closely related species, Crataegus cuneata (Japanese Hawthorn, called sanzashi in Japanese) is used in a similar manner. Other species (especially Crataegus laevigata) are used in Western herbal medicine, where the plant is believed to strengthen cardiovascular function In recent years, this use has been noted and adopted by Chinese herbalists as well [http://www.itmonline.org/arts/crataegus.htm.

Clinical trials
Several clinical trials have assessed the ability of hawthorn to help improve exercise tolerance in people with NYHA class II cardiac insufficiency compared to placebo. One trial, at (300mg/day) for 4 to 8 weeks, found not difference from placebo. The second trial, including 78 subjects (600mg/day) for 8 weeks, found "significant improvement in exercise tolerance" and lower blood pressure and heart rate during exercise. The third trial, including 32 subjects (900mg/day) for 8 weeks, found improved exercise tolerance as well as a reduction in the "incidence and severity of symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue decreased by approximately 50%" Bauman HHSFJL (2002). Hawthorn. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing 16:1-8.

In the HERB-CHF (Hawthorn Extract Randomized Blinded Chronic HF Study) clinical trial, 120 patients took 450mg of hawthorn extract twice daily for 6 months in combination with standard therapy and a standardized exercise program. "No effects of hawthorn were seen on either quality-of-life endpoint (Tables 1 and 2), or when adjusted for LVEF" Aaronson K: HERB-CHF: Hawthorn Extract Randomized Blinded Chronic Heart Failure Trial. In, 2004.

One study, consisting of 1011 patients taking one tablet (standardized to 84.3mg procyanidin) twice daily for 24 weeks, found "improvements in clinical symptoms (such as fatigue, palpitations, and exercise dyspnea), performance and exercise tolerance test, and ejection fraction" Sweet JMRBV (2002). Hawthorn: Pharmacology and therapeutic uses. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy 59: 417-422.

Other uses
The wood of some hawthorn species is very hard and resistant to rot. In rural North America it was prized for use as tool handles and fence posts.

Image:Crataegus-monogyna-frugt.JPG|The fruit of Common Hawthorn (C. monogyna) Image:Crataegus laevigata x monogyna Blossom.jpg|Spring flowers of the probable hybrid C.laevigata x monogyna Image:Crataegus pinnatifida fruit, Yongin.jpg|Crataegus pinnatifida fruit Image:Illustration_Crataegus_laevigata0.jpg|Botanical drawing of Crataegus laevigata

References and external links

Maloideae | Fruit | Chinese cuisine | Underutilized crops

Глог | Tjørn | Weißdorn | Crataegus | kratago | Aubépine | 산사나무속 | Kratego | サンザシ | Gudobelė | Meidoorn | Hagtornar | Alıç | Глід | 山楂

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Crataegus".

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