Large genus of shrubs or small trees in North America, South America, Europe and Asia with perhaps a total of 700 species including about 35 in the U.S. There is considerable interspecific hybridization.

Characteristics of Hawthorne

An intolerant shrub or small tree typically found in abandoned pastures throughout most of the U.S. with very hard wood. Leaves are alternate, simple, deciduous and serrate or somewhat lobed. Twigs are slender, often zig-zag and generally armed with one stiff thorn. Buds are small, globose, and lustrous brown. Fruit is a small pome borne in a corymb. Bark is dark red to gray and generally scaly.