Haw or crabapple?

What's different between hawthorn and crabapple?

Haw or crabapple?
Both are in the rose family, so they are similar, but hawthorns (Crataegus sp) tend to have more noticable serrated leaves, and in crapapples (Malus sp) the serrations are smaller. Hawthorns have actually thorns, while crabapples may have short spurs that can injure you, but are not actually thorns. And crabapple fruit is just like a miniature apple (a pome), so break it open and look for that signature star pattern. Hawthorns are said to have a "pome-like drupe" (to give you an idea, a cherry is a drupe).
Reply:I agree with nlmelley... but I would add that Haw's have less showy flowers than Crabapples. Usually haw's have while flowers with 5 petals, sometimes they have an unpleasant odor. Crab apples flowers are white, pink or red with 5 or more petals. Generally the flowers are larger on crab's and sometimes with fragrance. Haw's usually have thorns, while modern crab's do not (though you can find some heirloom varieties that do).





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