Alternate name: May Hawthorn, Apple Haw

Family: Rosaceae, Rose view all from this family

Description Small tree with relatively tall trunk and narrow, rounded crown; or a large shrub.
Height: 30' (9 m).
Diameter: 8" (20 cm).
Leaves: 2-2 1/2" (5-6 cm) long, 1/2-1" (1.2-2.5 cm) wide. Elliptical, gradually narrowed from middle to short-pointed ends; finely and wavy saw-toothed beyond middle with tiny gland-dots teeth; covered with gray hairs when young. Dull dark green and hairless or nearly so above, with rust-brown hairs beneath, especially on veins.
Bark: dark reddish-brown; fissured and scaly.
Twigs: hairy when young; sometimes with stout spines.
Flowers: 1" (2.5 cm) wide; with 5 white petals, 20 pink stamens, and 3-5 styles; short-stalked; before or with leaves in early spring.
Fruit: 5/8" (15 mm) in diameter; round, shiny red, with pale dots; juicy, slightly sour edible pulp; 3-5 nutlets; maturing in late spring.

Habitat In pure stands in wet soil of riverbanks and borders of swamps.

Range SW. Alabama west to S. Arkansas and E. Texas; to 300' (91 m).

Discussion The large, edible fruit is made into preserves and jellies.