Waxyfruit Hawthorn

Crataegus pruinosa

Native to:
Canada, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Crataegus
Species:
Crataegus pruinosa
USDA Symbol:
CRPR2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
600 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
white
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, butterflies, small mammals
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fragrant:
Yes
Fall Color:
red, orange, purple
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Can resprout from roots following fire. Historically found in fire-maintained woodland edges and savannas.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
prefers open, sunny locations

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 120–180 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
365–730 days
Notes:
Hawthorn seeds have double dormancy requiring warm then cold stratification. Germination is often delayed and erratic, sometimes taking 2 years.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI