What Do Hawthorn Berries Do – Those of you who are regular readers of this small column will probably realize that I am no stranger to kayaking, and that I have fallen into one of the few botanical excursions (all my visits ended up being botanical) in a variety of wet situations.
I’ve also been known to kayak on winter days…which isn’t usually my style, as I prefer summer, as hot as it can be. Nevertheless, even I will admit that there is something to be said for seeing the beautiful world around us on one of these short and enjoyable days.
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What Do Hawthorn Berries Do
So there I was recently wading through the waters of oxbow lake linked to our very own Congaree River here in central South Carolina, on a partly cloudy, chilly January afternoon. Most of the foliage was long gone, of course, although there was plenty of greenery scattered across the swamp. As such, kayakers are mostly faced with a continuous and varied palette of grays and browns, trees on a barren floodplain. And then, suddenly, this!
Does Hawthorn Lower Blood Pressure?
I have to tell you that I was a little breathless as we turned the corner, and then this magnificent bush…small tree, literally…appeared before my eyes. It almost looked like it was on fire, protruding from the darkness around it. I must also tell you, up front, that this is a native hawthorn species—green hawthorn,
All hawthorns (sometimes simply called “haws”) in the world belong to the genus Crataegus, and there are several hundred species around the northern hemisphere, including North America. They occupy a variety of habitats, and many provide an important source of wildlife food, as well as ornamental value.
Green hawthorn is a fairly common resident of southern marshes and floodplains from Pennsylvania to Arkansas and Texas, then to northern Florida. Stems in older individuals are often spiny.
All hawthorns are pretty much deciduous. This one has leaves that are broad elliptical in shape, but vary in shape, and many of the leaves will curl strongly. The blades are scalloped along the edges, and by the New Year, all those leaves will die and be gone.
Twig Of Hawthorn Berries Isolated On White Background Stock Photo
The flowers are very attractive, snow white when fully open, and appear in late spring. All hawthorns have perfect flowers, that is, with pollen and ovules produced in the same flower. Flowers are held in tight clusters, each with five petals.
After fertilization, young fruits are developing. During the long growing season, the fruit grows and swells, each containing 3-5 seeds. The ripe fruit will become what we call a “pome”, basically like an apple or a mini pear. (Or pyracantha.)
At some point, the skin cells of the fruit begin to secrete a red pigment. A collection of ripe fruits, crammed into the branches, can be a stunning sight. I hope you can find some to admire before the birds eat them.
John Nelson is curator of the A. C. Moore Herbarium at the University of South Carolina, in the Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia SC 29208. As a public service, Herbarium offers free plant identification. For more information, visit www.herbarium.org or call 803-777-8196, or email [email protected]. Planting in the fall or spring is best for hawthorn, but, for all shrubs, the ideal period is always fall .
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Choosing to plant in the fall allows for root development before winter, and growth in spring will be more vigorous.
Hawthorn is very easy to care for, and requires little attention if grown properly.
Pruning hawthorn is not necessary unless it is part of the fence. If so, you should trim them regularly.
Often used in defensive fencing, the hawthorn still goes beyond that, as it has decorative leaves and blooms profusely, making it a very beautiful tree.
Guide: Managing Hawthorn Around Waterways
Besides being strong and easy to care for, this tree will also give you satisfaction because it will adapt to the soil and climate where you live.
The leaves vary in color from spring to fall, and the beautiful berries will decorate your hawthorn from late summer to early winter.
Although edible, hawthorn berries taste bland and starchy when unripe, but birds go wild about them.
If you need to keep people from crossing your yard, use hawthorn because the thorns are real!
Frontier Co Op Hawthorn Berries, Whole, Organic 1 Lb.
(all edits by Gaspard Lorthiois): Lots of hawthorn berries (also on social media) by Christel Funk under license Pixabay Hawthorn blooms by Les Whalley under license Pixabay Some berries on hawthorn by Michaela under license Pixabay Leaves and berries (also on social media) by Rosalyn & Gaspard Lorthiois, own work Hawthorn is a well-known heart tonic that acts on the heart both physically and energetically. Hawthorn’s abundant remedy comes in the form of leaves, flowers, and berries. Known to have supportive and protective qualities, his name,
Means strength. With cardiovascular disease and heart failure on the rise in Canada, let’s make hawthorn a household name! Continue reading to find out how you can support your heart and the health of your loved ones with hawthorn remedies. Plus, check out the recipe for delicious hawthorn berry syrup.
Hawthorn is a deciduous, thorny tree belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae). There are 280 species under the genus Crataegus but C. laevigata and C. monogyna are most commonly used in medicine. Hawthorn produces white or pink, five-petal flowers in spring that give way to bright red berries or “haws” in early fall. The fruit is blood red with white powdery flesh and large stones. With a slightly sweet and sour taste they are used as food and medicine. The berries are enjoyed by small birds and animals that nest in the thorny branches of protective trees.
As one of the oldest recorded medicinal plants used in Europe, the health benefits of hawthorn have been tried and tested. The herb has long been associated with heart health and studies have shown it to be a useful remedy for a variety of cardiovascular related conditions including hypertension, atherosclerosis, angina, and varicose veins. Hawthorn has a restorative and balancing effect on the heart and circulatory system, it modulates the activity of the heart, depending on what is needed for optimal function. It is also indicated for stimulating digestion and calming the nerves.
Hawthorn Berries Whole
Much has been said about how hawthorn’s physical form relates to its energetic properties. This plant stands tall and offers a lot of medicine but also maintains protection and boundaries as its thorns only allow you to get close. Herbalist Jim McDonald recommends hawthorn as an emotional and spiritual heart tonic. Medicinal plants provide a protective emotional space for people recovering from heartbreak, trauma, and emotional vulnerability.
Some herbalists use the leaves, flowers, and berries of hawthorn interchangeably, depending on the season. However, berries are specifically indicated to support
Heart, regulates heart rate. It should be noted that if all the flowers were harvested in the spring, there would be no berries in the fall! The leaves and flowers can be enjoyed in teas, capsules, or tinctures. Packed with antioxidants and flavonoids, the berries can be eaten fresh or made into jams and syrups as well as prepared in a decoction or tincture.
Herbal infusion syrup is a delicious and effective way to enjoy medicinal plants. The syrup can be drunk on its own or added to teas, cocktails, or any food that requires sweetening. Syrups can be made with sugar or honey but honey is often preferred because it is rich in nutrients and anti-microbial.
Yellow Hawthorn Berries Growing On A Tree Branch In The Garden. Stock Photo, Picture And Royalty Free Image. Image 87448298
This recipe uses concentrated hawthorn berry tea mixed with honey in a 2:1 ratio. If you prefer a sweeter, thicker syrup, you can change the ratio to 1:1. You can easily make larger amounts of this syrup by adding more berries and adjusting the honey to water ratio.
Hawthorn fruit seeds contain mildly toxic compounds and should not be consumed. If you want to use leftover tea dregs, first strain the seeds.
Mountain Rose Herbs. “Hawthorn, Plant Walk with Jim McDonald.” Online video clip. Youtube. 20 December 2013. Web. November 9, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGB9Do-IEv8English hawthorn is a small deciduous tree or large shrub in the Rosaceae (rose) family. While it was introduced to North America in the 1800s, it has recently become a problem on the West Coast. The hawthorn branches have many stocky spines and the bark is smooth, pale, and gray. The leaves are alternate, leathery, and deep lobed. The flowers grow in groups of 10 – 20, are white with a pink tinge, and have 5 petals. This plant also has a single-seeded red fruit group. Seeds are widely dispersed by birds.
English hawthorn looks similar to real black hawthorn. The leaves of black hawthorn are only weakly lobed, and the fruit is black, not bright red.
Indian Hawthorn Berries Information And Facts
English Hawthorn grows in many types of soil, but seems to prefer moist, disturbed places. In its native area, it often grows as a forest understorey species. Here in Oregon, it can