A shrub or small tree with compact, rounded crown of stout, spreading branches; growing to a heigh of 9 m and a diameter of 0.3 m, often forming thickets.

Description

Distinguishing Features - Leaves: 2.5 - 7.5 cm long; obovate to ovate, wider toward short-pointed tip, sharply saw-toothed and often slightly lobed; colouration: shiny dark green becoming nearly hairless above, paler underneath. Bark: gray to brown, smooth or becoming scaly. Twigs: shiny red, slender, hairless, often with straight or slightly curved spines 2.5 cm long. Flowers: 12 mm wide; with five white petals, 10 to 20 pink stamens, and 3 to 5 styles; on long, slender stalks in broad clusters; in spring. Fruit: 12 mm in diameter; turning shiny black, with thick, light yellow pulp and 3 to 5 nutlets; several on long stalks in drooping clusters; maturing late summer.

Habitat

Local in southern Alaska; from British Columbia south to central California; southwest to Saskatchewan; also local near Lake Superior; in moist soil conditions around mountain streams and valleys; with conifers.

Notes

The leaves of the Black Hawthorn provide browse for cattle and sheep; small birds and game birds eat the berries.

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