Definition

1. Noun:
   • A species of hawthorn native to Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia, characterized by deeply lobed leaves, fragrant white or pink flowers, and small, bright red fruits (haws) containing a single seed. It is commonly used for hedging and has become naturalized in other regions, such as eastern North America.

Usage

• Noun:
  • Crataegus monogyna is a common sight in the British countryside.
  • The dense, thorny branches of Crataegus monogyna make it an excellent plant for a livestock hedge.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical classification: The name follows the binomial nomenclature system, where is the genus and is the specific epithet.
  • The specimen was identified as belonging to the species Crataegus monogyna.

Variants and Related Words

• Common Hawthorn: The most frequent common name for .
• Mayflower: A traditional name, as it often blooms in May.
• Haw: Refers to the fruit of this and related species.
• Whitethorn: Another common name, referring to the pale bark and blossoms.

Synonyms

• Common Hawthorn
• May Tree
• Single-seeded Hawthorn (a direct translation of "monogyna")

Related Phrases

• Hawthorn hedge: A hedge made from plants of the genus, often specifically .
  • The farmer planted a hawthorn hedge to mark the boundary.

Related Idioms

• "Ne’er cast a clout till May be out": An old English proverb. The phrase "May be out" is often interpreted to mean until the hawthorn () is in blossom, not necessarily the end of the month.
  • Remember the saying: "Ne’er cast a clout till May be out"—it's still too cold to put your winter clothes away.

Noun

1. European hawthorn having deeply cleft leaves and bright red fruits; widely cultivated in many varieties and often grown as impenetrable hedges; established as an escape in eastern North America