Black Hawthorn

Lushootseed Name: čibadac (pronounced ch-ee-bih-dotz)

Location: Lining the street between Stevens Way and the Medicinal Gardens

Summary: Another small species, this is one of Washington’s two native species of Hawthorn (the other being the Columbia Hawthorn, Crataegus columbiana). The Hawthorn genus is exceptionally well distributed around the northern hemisphere, with several hundred species worldwide. It is a member of the Rosaceae family, which makes this species a cousin of some of the most well-known tree-based food staples on the planet, including apples, stone fruits, and almonds. It should therefore be unsurprising that the fruit of this tree is itself edible (though one would not consider snacking on them raw without being in an intense state of hunger). Humans traditionally harvest the tufted fruits of hawthorn in fall, adding them to soups, sauces, and other dishes. The species is widely appreciated as exceptionally medicinal by the 

Indigenous peoples of Western Washington. It is known to cure heart ailments, digestion issues, blindness, and tumors due to an assortment of antioxidants. Western medicinal studies have borne out what Native Americans have known for thousands of years, identifying the exact chemical components within this fruit which make it such a superfood. Black Hawthorns are not common in the deep shade of our great forests, and are instead generally found in more open places like the rich soils of river bottoms and in thick clusters in open pasture land. The species seldom achieves heights over 30’. This specimen is in cultivation, and has been well-pruned over the years; in the wild one might expect to find a dense thicket complete with sharp thorns up to an inch in length.

Identifying Features light: There are over 100 species of American Hawthorn, and while as a group they are easy to identify, it is often quite difficult to tell individual species apart. Fortunately very few species of Hawthorn grow naturally in Washington, and it is therefore likely that in a wild ecosystem the Black Hawthorn will be the most likely member of the group to be found. Hawthorns are generally small trees, known for forming dense shrubby thickets. The ovate leaves of Black Hawthorn are serrated (more distinctly so near the tip), shiny dark green on the top and pale beneath. As with many of their genus, this species is known to have stout spines growing upon its twigs as a deterrent to hopeful browsers. It produces beautiful fragrant white flowers in spring and clusters of small black round fruit in late summer, each with several small nutlets inside.

Identifying Features In Depth:

1. Form: A dark squat tree, the Black Hawthorn often grows low or even as a shrub, forming dense thickets with heavy foliage. In some cases it can achieve heights of 30ft (9m), but often this species grows to much more modest sizes. The crown is generally rounded and dense.

2. Leaves: The leaves of this species are ovate to obovate, generally about 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) in length and about a half in to 1.5 inches (1.5-5cm) wide. They have serrated edges which are coarsely toothed near the tips. They are dark green on the top, shiny and nearly hairless. The underside is a more pale hue.

3. Bark: Bark runs from gray to brown in color, but in our climate is often densely covered with lichens and mosses. It is flakey on older specimens, flaking away in rectangular pieces. Twigs of newer growth are often shiny, often a shiny red color and hairless, usually with slightly curved spines up to an inch (2.5cm) in length.

4. Reproductive Bodies: The flowers of this species appear in clusters, as do the black berries which they give rise to. The flowers have 5 white rounded petals and the berries, as with other members of the rose family, have a tuft on the tip opposite the stem. Flowers generally are about half an inch in diameter (12mm) and have 10-20 pink to reddish stamens. They bloom in spring. The fruits grow to about 1.3cm in diameter, containing a thick yellowish pulp beneath their shiny black skin and 3-5 nutlets. These mature in late summer.

Historical Background: The Black Hawthorn is the only species of its genus to occur naturally in Alaska and most widespread of its genus in Western North America. As a low tree, it is browsed by herbivores, and is enjoyed by many species of bird which favor its berries, including quail and cedar waxwing. The dense thickets formed by these trees also provide optimal bird nesting habitat. The species is a favorite amongst other Hawthorns in terms of cultivations, serving very nicely as an ornamental with its charming spring blooms and dark foliage. The range of this species covers an enormous array of indigenous peoples and nations. In various parts of that range it was used as rake tines, lances, and to make fish hooks. The extremely hard wood can be used to make weapons and the fruit can be eaten both fresh and dried (although it is not particularly palatable on its own). Hawthorn has also been used extensively as a medicinal species, with the fruit and flowers aiding in issues of high cholesterol and heart failure (they improve cardiovascular health).

Native Range: The Black Hawthorn occurs from southern Alaska, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia south all the way to central California. It grows from sea level in the north to near 6000ft (1829m) in elevation at the southern end of the range. It has also been known to grow in the states west of Lake Superior in the midwest.