Crataegus marshallii Eggl.
Parsley hawthorn, Parsleyleaf hawthorn
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
USDA Symbol: crma5
Parsley hawthorne is a small, deciduous tree or shrub to 25 ft. with slender, thorny - or sometimes thornless - branches. The dainty, white, five-petaled blossoms are followed by bright-red, persistent fruits. This species has very ornamental foliage; it is deeply cut, resembling garden parsley. Small tree with wide-spreading, slender branches and broad, irregular, open crown of parseylike foliage; or often, a low much-branched shrub. Leaves become colorful in fall.
One of the easiest hawthorns to recognize, with its small, divided leaves and small, oblong fruit. The Latin species name honors Humphry Marshall (1722-1801), U.S. botanist.
From the Image Gallery
Plant CharacteristicsDuration: Perennial
Flower: Flower 1 inch
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Bloom InformationBloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
DistributionUSA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , KY , LA , MO , MS , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
Native Distribution: FL to s. VA, w. to e. TX & s.e. MO
Native Habitat: Sandy, alluvial woods & low pastures
Growing ConditionsWater Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Acid-based
Conditions Comments: Seasonally poor drainage is okay. Adapts well to garden soils.
BenefitUse Ornamental: Fall conspicuous, Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: Nectar-butterflies, Fruit-mammals, Fruit-birds, Only a few birds like the fruit of Crataegus and, consequently, they remain effective for a long time.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Value to Beneficial InsectsSpecial Value to Native Bees
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
PropagationDescription: Scarified and stratified seed or scarified seed followed by outdoor sowing
Seed Collection: Fruits may be hand-picked or shaken from the plant. Clean seeds from the pulp to avoid mold and fermentation. Air-dry before storing. Store in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Scarification: up to 5 hours in concentrated sulfuric acid and/or a 120 day warm, moist treatment. Stratification: 100-300 days.
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
From the National Organizations DirectoryAccording to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:
Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
BibliographyBibref 298 - Field Guide to Texas Trees (1999) Simpson, B.J.
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. Wasowski
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
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Additional resourcesUSDA: Find Crataegus marshallii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Crataegus marshallii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Crataegus marshallii
MetadataRecord Modified: 2015-11-12
Research By: TWC Staff