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Black Hawthorn
Black Hawthorn botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Black Hawthorn

Crataegus douglasii
In the United States: Native · also called Douglas hawthorn, black hawberry, western thornapple

Black hawthorn offers early spring nectar and pollen to honeybees during its white flower bloom, aiding colony development after winter. Peak foraging occurs in May to June in temperate climates, with flowers attracting bees to moist woodland edges or riparian areas. The thorny branches form dense thickets that provide habitat but may need pruning to prevent overgrowth near apiaries.

Nectarmedium
Pollenmedium
Bloom (US) May–June
TypePerennial
Sunpartial
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