The Hawthorn, a small tree or shrub belonging to the Crataegus genus, is the official state flower of Missouri. This native plant was selected due to its widespread presence across diverse landscapes and the beauty of its spring blossoms. The choice reflects a recognition of a species that is both hardy and prominent, marking the transition from winter to spring throughout the region.
The Official Designation: Hawthorn
The Hawthorn was officially adopted as the floral emblem of Missouri on March 16, 1923, by an act of the Fifty-second General Assembly. Governor Arthur Mastick Hyde signed the legislation (House Bill 135), formalizing the blossom’s status as a state symbol. The statute refers broadly to the genus, Crataegus, commonly known as the “red haw” or “wild haw.”
The legal text declares the Hawthorn blossom to be the state floral emblem, with the state department of agriculture tasked with encouraging its cultivation. This recognition was spurred by the plant’s natural beauty in its flower, fruit, and foliage. While the law specifies the entire genus, the Downy Hawthorn (Crataegus mollis) is the species most often cited by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
The selection of a native, widely distributed plant was part of a larger trend across the nation to establish state symbols that genuinely reflected local identity. Before the Hawthorn, other proposals, like the wild crabapple, had been considered but failed to gain legislative support. The Hawthorn’s prominence in Missouri’s natural landscape ultimately secured its place in the state’s revised statutes, specifically Section 10.030.
Distinctive Physical Characteristics
The Hawthorn is a small, deciduous tree or large shrub, typically reaching a mature height between 15 and 40 feet. Its growth habit is often rounded and wide-spreading. The bark is usually gray and develops a scaly, silvery appearance on older specimens.
In mid to late spring, usually around late April or early May, the plant produces a profusion of showy, white, or occasionally pinkish, flowers. These blossoms form in flat-topped clusters at the tips of the branches. Each flower has five round petals and resembles a miniature wild rose, as the Hawthorn belongs to the rose family.
These thorns are sharp-tipped, modified branches that can range from half an inch up to two inches in length, creating a formidable defense. The leaves are broadly oval and sharply serrated along the edges, often possessing a distinctive fuzzy or “downy” texture, especially in the Crataegus mollis species. Following the blossoms, the plant develops its fruit, known as a “haw.”
The haw is a small, round pome, similar to a tiny apple, which ripens to a bright scarlet or crimson red by late summer or early fall. These vibrant fruits often persist on the branches into the winter months, providing a striking splash of color against the dormant landscape. This seasonal transition ensures the Hawthorn offers visual interest for much of the year.
Native Habitat and Ecological Role
The Hawthorn is a highly adaptable native species found growing in nearly every part of Missouri. It demonstrates a resilience that allows it to flourish in a wide variety of environments, from rocky, open woodlands and bluffs to stream borders, thickets, and open pastures. The plant tolerates a range of soil conditions, often thriving even in drier soils and open fields.
The Hawthorn’s ecological function is substantial, particularly in providing food and shelter for local wildlife. The dense, thorny canopy offers excellent cover and secure nesting sites for numerous bird species, protecting them from predators. The leaves and twigs are also browsed by deer, integrating the plant into the local food web.
The small, fleshy haws are a crucial food source, especially for birds like thrushes and waxwings, during the autumn and winter when other food may be scarce. Small mammals also consume the fruit, aiding in seed dispersal across the landscape. Over 75 different kinds of Hawthorns, including species, subspecies, and hybrids, are represented throughout Missouri’s diverse ecosystems.