Crataegus chlorocarpa

Crataegus monogyna · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Extensive (1112 studies) · ★★★★★

Crataegus chlorocarpa, scientifically known as Crataegus monogyna, is a resilient deciduous shrub widely recognized as the common hawthorn. Renowned for its therapeutic properties, this medicinal plant is traditionally used to support cardiovascular health, improve circulation, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety, making it a cornerstone in herbal medicine practices.

Family
Rosaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Fruit · Flower
Common names
Crataegus Chlorocarpa · English Hawthorn · 7 more
Scientific synonyms
Crataegus Pectinata · Oxyacantha Azarella · 310 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Crataegus monogyna

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Crataegus chlorocarpa
  • Crataegus oxyacantha var. incisa
  • Crataegus laciniata var lasiocarpa
  • Tamanuela
  • Majoletas
  • Ilurri
  • Oxyacantha apiifolia
  • Crataegus oxyacantha var. stenoloba
  • Crataegus laciniata var. lasiocarpa
  • Mespilus monogyna raza intermedia
  • Mespilus maura var. maroccana
  • Mespilus monogyna var. brevispina
  • Mespilus monogyna var. azarella
  • Crataegus oxyacantha var. pubescens
  • Crataegus oxyacantha var. monostyla
  • Matapiojo
  • Espino de amayuelo
  • Arto
  • Espino albar
  • Espino blanco
  • Majuelo
  • Espino Albar
  • majuelo
  • Espinillo Albar

German:

  • Crataegus chlorocarpa
  • Eingriffeliger Weißdorn
  • Eingriffliger Weissdorn
  • Eingriffliger Weißdorn
  • aubépine à un style
  • Eingriffliger Weißdorn
  • Eingriffeliger Weissdorn
  • Hagedorn

French:

  • Crataegus chlorocarpa
  • Epine blanche
  • Aubépine blanche
  • Aubépine monogyne
  • Épine blanche
  • Aubépine à un style
  • aubépine monogyne
  • aubépine à un style
  • Aubepine a un style
  • Epine blanche

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae, it is classified under the genus Crataegus.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Rosales
Family Rosaceae
Genus Crataegus

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Crataegus monogyna, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern reaches of the European continent. It can be found growing naturally throughout various regions of Northern Europe. Specifically, its presence is documented in the coastal and inland areas of Denmark and Finland. The species also thrives across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, its geographical range extends into the rugged landscapes of Norway.

Region Area
Northern Europe Denmark
Northern Europe Finland
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Ireland
Northern Europe Norway
Northern Europe Sweden
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Crataegus monogyna is characterized by its versatile adaptability across diverse landscapes and significant altitudinal variations. It is frequently found inhabiting forest edges, mountains, rivers, shrubberies, and dense forest environments. The species demonstrates a wide elevational distribution, with recorded ranges varying by location; in some ecological niches, it occupies altitudes ranging from 450 m to a mean of 1175 m AMSL, while in other regions, it is found between 1200 m and 1550 m AMSL, reaching a maximum elevation of 1900 m AMSL. Furthermore, the plant possesses biological defense mechanisms to ensure its survival within these competitive habitats.

Defense :
yes
Elevational range max:
1550 m AMSL
Elevational range max:
1900 m AMSL
Elevational range mean:
1369 m AMSL
Elevational range mean:
1175 m AMSL
Elevational range min:
1200 m AMSL
Elevational range min:
450 m AMSL
Habitat :
forest edges, mountains, rivers, shrubberies
Habitat :
forest, mountains

Life history

The life history of Crataegus monogyna is characterized by its status as a long-lived perennial plant, with an impressive lifespan that can extend to 100 years. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on woody stems above the ground, exhibiting a robust growth habit suitable for various ecological niches. The species follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes. This perennial lifecycle ensures a stable presence in its habitat, allowing the plant to undergo repeated reproductive cycles over many decades.

Deciduousness :
deciduous
Life form :
phanerophyte
Lifecycle :
perennial
Lifespan :
100

Morphology

The morphology of Crataegus monogyna is characterized by a woody, self-supporting growth form that typically manifests as either a shrub or a tree. As a terrestrial and independent species, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits significant variability in stature; depending on environmental conditions and specific classifications, its height can range from a minimum of 1.8 meters to a maximum of 10 meters, with mean heights recorded at approximately 4.5 meters or 5.66 meters. Its structural composition is distinctly woody, providing the necessary rigidity for its self-supporting habit without the need for climbing mechanisms such as vines or lianas.

Aquatic :
terrestrial
Climber :
self-supporting
Epiphyte :
terrestrial
Growth form :
shrub
Growth form :
tree
Parasite :
independent
Plant height max:
10 m
Plant height max:
6 m
Plant height mean:
5.66166666666667 m
Plant height mean:
4.5 m
Plant height min:
1.8 m
Plant height min:
3 m
Woodiness :
woody

Physiology

The physiology of Crataegus monogyna is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, lacking the ability to fix nitrogen. Its leaf morphology is distinctly lobed, with dimensions that vary significantly across its structure; leaf length typically ranges from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 9 cm, with a recorded mean length of 7 cm and a secondary measured mean of 5.8 cm. The leaf width exhibits a broad range, from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 7 cm, with a mean width of 4 cm. In terms of surface area, the plant maintains a mean leaf size of 4.9114 cm², and it possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 113.36 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per unit area and its efficiency in light interception and resource allocation.

Carnivory :
non-carnivorous
Leaf form :
lobed
Leaf length max:
5.8 cm
Leaf length max:
9 cm
Leaf length mean:
7 cm
Leaf length min:
0.5 cm
Leaf length min:
5 cm
Leaf size mean:
4.9114 cm²
Leaf width max:
7 cm
Leaf width mean:
4 cm
Leaf width min:
0.8 cm
Nitrogen fixer :
no
Photosynthetic pathway :
C3
Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:
113.36 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Crataegus monogyna is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects. The flowering process occurs within a seasonal window, typically starting around February or May and concluding in June. During this period, the plant produces white flowers that vary in size, with lengths ranging from 0.4 cm to 1.5 cm and widths between 0.8 cm and 1.5 cm, arranged in inflorescences measuring between 0.03 m and 0.04 m in length. Reproduction is strictly sexual, as both self-fertilization and asexual reproduction are absent. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fleshy, indehiscent fruits classified as drupes. These red fruits exhibit a mean length of approximately 0.9 cm to 1.055 cm (with a range of 0.6 cm to 1 cm) and a mean width of 0.815 cm to 0.9 cm (ranging from 0.5 cm to 1 cm). The seeds within these fruits are consistent in size, with a mean length of 8.1 mm and a constant seed volume of 55 mm³. Seed mass varies significantly, with a mean of approximately 0.0901 g, a minimum of 0.02197 g, and a maximum of 0.42 g. Dispersal of the seeds is zoochorous, meaning they are spread by animals, which aids in the plant's propagation.

Dehiscence :
indehiscent
Dispersal syndrome :
zoochorous
Flower colour :
white
Flower length max:
0.8 cm
Flower length max:
1.5 cm
Flower length min:
0.4 cm
Flower length min:
1.2 cm
Flower width max:
1.5 cm
Flower width min:
0.8 cm
Flowering time :
Feb
Flowering time :
Jun
Flowering time :
May
Fruit colour :
red
Fruit dryness :
fleshy
Fruit length max:
1 cm
Fruit length mean:
1.055 cm
Fruit length mean:
0.9 cm
Fruit length min:
0.6 cm
Fruit length min:
0.8 cm
Fruit type :
drupe
Fruit width max:
1 cm
Fruit width mean:
0.815 cm
Fruit width mean:
0.9 cm
Fruit width min:
0.5 cm
Fruit width min:
0.8 cm
Inflorescence length max:
0.04 m
Inflorescence length min:
0.03 m
Pollination syndrome :
insect
Pollination syndrome :
biotic
Reproduction asexual :
absent
Seed length mean:
8.1 mm
Seed mass max:
0.42 g
Seed mass mean:
0.0901174608333333 g
Seed mass min:
0.02197 g
Seed volume max:
55 mm³
Self fertilization :
absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Crataegus monogyna has 5 reported plant parts identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, flower, leaf, root, stem.

Plant parts reported in Crataegus monogyna
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Fruit 6 supporting sources ★★★☆☆
Flower 5 supporting sources ★★★☆☆
Leaf 4 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Root 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Stem 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Fruit

  1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
  2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
  3. Planta medica
  4. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine
  5. Acta medica Iranica
View 1 additional sources
  1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Flower

  1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
  2. Orvosi hetilap
  3. Planta medica
  4. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
  5. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Leaf

  1. Planta medica
  2. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
  3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
  4. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Root

  1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Stem

  1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Crataegus monogyna has 131 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Proanthocyanidins, Vitexin, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Procyanidin.

Chemicals reported in Crataegus monogyna
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Flavonoids 10 supporting sources ★★★★★
Proanthocyanidins 4 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Vitexin 4 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
CHLOROGENIC ACID 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Procyanidin 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
polyphenols 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
quercetin 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
CALCIUM 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Flavonoid 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hyperoside 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Flavonoids

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
  3. Planta medica
  4. Journal of chromatography. A
  5. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
View 5 additional sources
  1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
  2. American family physician
  3. Die Pharmazie
  4. Life (Basel, Switzerland)
  5. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Proanthocyanidins

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Planta medica
  3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
  4. Die Pharmazie

Vitexin

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Pharmacological reports : PR
  3. Journal of chromatography. A
  4. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

CHLOROGENIC ACID

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
  3. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Procyanidin

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
  3. Planta medica

polyphenols

  1. Food chemistry
  2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
  3. Phytotherapy research : PTR

quercetin

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
  3. Journal of chromatography. A

CALCIUM

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes

Flavonoid

  1. Food chemistry
  2. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Hyperoside

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Journal of chromatography. A

Activities

Crataegus monogyna has 517 reported activities identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytoprotective, Antibacterial, Anticancer.

Activities reported in Crataegus monogyna
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Antioxidant 7 supporting sources ★★★★☆
Antimicrobial 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Cytoprotective 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Antibacterial 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antiproliferative 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cardioprotective 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hypolipidemic 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Antioxidant

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Planta medica
  3. Food technology and biotechnology
  4. Drug and chemical toxicology
  5. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
View 2 additional sources
  1. Nutrients
  2. Acta biochimica Polonica

Antimicrobial

  1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
  2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
  3. Acta biochimica Polonica

Cytoprotective

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine
  3. Acta medica Iranica

Antibacterial

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Anticancer

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiproliferative

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Food technology and biotechnology

Cardioprotective

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Hepatoprotective

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Hypolipidemic

  1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
  2. Environmental toxicology

Conditions

Crataegus monogyna has 36 reported investigations on conditions identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Escherichia coli, arrhythmia, cardiovascular diseases, heart failure, inflammation.

Conditions investigated for Crataegus monogyna
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Escherichia coli 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Arrhythmia 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cardiovascular diseases 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Heart failure 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Inflammation 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Bacillus cereus 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Bacillus megaterium 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Enterococcus faecalis 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Listeria monocytogenes 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Escherichia coli

  1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
  2. Pharmaceutical biology

Arrhythmia

  1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
  2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Cardiovascular diseases

  1. The Journal of cardiovascular nursing
  2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Heart failure

  1. The Journal of cardiovascular nursing
  2. American family physician

Inflammation

  1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
  2. Environmental toxicology

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

  1. International journal of biological macromolecules
  2. Frontiers in nutrition

Bacillus cereus

  1. Pharmaceutical biology

Bacillus megaterium

  1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Enterococcus faecalis

  1. Pharmaceutical biology

Listeria monocytogenes

  1. Pharmaceutical biology

Preparations

Crataegus monogyna has 11 reported preparations identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Antisstress I, Antisstress II, aqueous extract, crude extracts, extracts.

Preparations reported for Crataegus monogyna
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Antisstress i 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antisstress ii 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Aqueous extract 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Crude extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Flowers 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Fresh vegetative and reproductive organs 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Leaves 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Three different herbal matrices 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Triturations of the dry extracts with lactose 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Antisstress i

  1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antisstress ii

  1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Aqueous extract

  1. Acta medica Iranica

Crude extracts

  1. Andrologia

Extracts

  1. European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences

Flowers

  1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Fresh vegetative and reproductive organs

  1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Leaves

  1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Three different herbal matrices

  1. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry

Triturations of the dry extracts with lactose

  1. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry