Washington hawthorn

Crataegus phaenopyrum (L.f.) Medik.

Pet & Human Safety

People: Skin irritant to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

thorns, 1 to 3 inches long (NC State, UF/IFAS)

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

puncture injury from thorns

Hazard route

skin

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA lists Washington hawthorn as non-toxic to pets. ASPCA is the only source we found, and one source is not enough to call a plant safe for pets, so it is not assessed as safe. Keep pets from eating it. Do not confuse it with the plant sold as thorn apple (Datura), which is highly poisonous.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Crataegus phaenopyrum, not on the common name.. NC State lists 'thornapple' as a common name for this hawthorn. Thorn apple is also the common name of Datura (jimsonweed, Datura stramonium), a highly poisonous plant. Hawthorn (Crataegus) is also not the same as Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis). Always go by the Latin name Crataegus phaenopyrum.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 4a to 8b per NC State Plant Toolbox; USDA 4A through 8A per UF/IFAS (the 'Fastigiata' variety page)
Light: Full sun; part shade reduces flowers and fruit.
Water needs: low
Mature size: NC State (species): 25 to 30 ft (7.6 to 9.1 m) tall and 20 to 25 ft (6.1 to 7.6 m) wide, a small low branching tree with a rounded crown. UF/IFAS ('Fastigiata' variety only): 20 to 25 ft (6.1 to 7.6 m) tall and 10 to 15 ft (3 to 4.6 m) wide. NC State lists 'Princeton Sentry' at about 30 ft by 20 ft.
Family: Rosaceae (spelled 'Roseaceae' on the NC State page)
Where it comes from: NC State: Virginia to Georgia, and Illinois to Kansas. UF/IFAS: native to North America.