Kingdom Plantae Family Rosaceae Scientific name Crataegus flava Rank Species | Order Rosales Genus Crataegus Higher classification Hawthorn | |
Series Intricatae
(Sarg.) Rehder Similar Crataegus rivularis, Crataegus dahurica, Crataegus chlorosarca, Crataegus erythropoda, Crataegus aestivalis | ||
Crataegus flava, common names summer haw and yellow-fruited thorn, is a very rare species of hawthorn that was long known in cultivation in England but apparently is no longer grown. Unfortunately, due to an error by Sargent the name C. flava was, and often still is, used for a different species C. lacrimata, which belongs to a different series, the Lacrimatae series. Flavae is another group of species that were thought to be related to the misidentified C. flava, and although it is now apparent that they are not related, the name of the group remains. Because the true identity of this species has only recently been discovered, the name is rarely used correctly.
Like most hawthorns, plants similar to C. flava bear edible fruit that can be used to make jellies and jams, have a flavor that is mealy and a bit dry, and grow in large clusters. Some are shaped like pears. Also like most hawthorns, the wood of C. flava is hard and can be made into small tools.