Crataegus marshallii aka Parsley Hawthorn

Crataegus marshallii is known as parsley hawthorn or parsley haw. This small tree belongs to the rose family, Rosaceae. It grows in the southeastern and south-central United States, including North Carolina. Its range also reaches Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. In North Carolina, it grows in moist Piedmont and coastal sites. It sheds its leaves each year and grows at a moderate rate.

Trees reach about 25 feet [7.6 metres] tall. Their spread is about 15 feet [4.6 metres]. Some plants form shrubs with several trunks rather than one. The crown is broad and open, with upright growth. Thin gray bark peels into narrow scales as it ages. Smooth gray stems have brown patches and bear thorns. These sharp points can pose a hazard near children. The small, simple leaves grow in an alternate pattern. Each egg-shaped leaf has five to seven pointed lobes. Toothed edges add to the finely cut look. The upper surface shines green; the underside is paler. Fall leaves turn orange or shades of red.

White flowers form clusters called cymes from April to May. Each flower spans about an inch and has red anthers. The blooms supply nectar for insects and draw butterflies. Small red fruits, called haws, follow the flowers. Each is a pome, roughly a third of an inch across. It holds one to five hard seed cases called pyrenes. The fruit shows from September to October. Songbirds eat the haws in winter. The branches also shelter nests from predators. Leaves feed moth caterpillars and several kinds of butterfly larvae.

Grow this tree in moist soil with good drainage. Full sun or partial sun suits garden planting. It accepts clay, loam, and sandy soils across a broad pH range. It also tolerates brief flooding and some dry spells. Some heat tolerance adds to its range of garden uses. It is hardy in USDA zones 7–9. Pond edges, stream banks, and woodland sites suit it. Rain gardens and pollinator gardens offer other planting uses. Its flowers, fruit, leaves, and peeling bark provide interest through the seasons.

NC State lists low upkeep and no serious pest or disease problems. It identifies the fruit as edible. It also lists the plant as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Leaves, flowers, and fruit have recorded herbal uses for heart health. Those uses do not establish safe doses or proven benefits. The wood is hard, heavy, and strong, but has little commercial value.