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Black Hawthorne · Crataegus douglassii

Description: A deciduous, erect shrub (10 ft.) or small tree (20-30 ft.) with branches armed with thorns. Gorgeous autumn color! It has clusters of white flowers in late spring, followed by black, apple-like fruit. Black hawthorn tends to form thickets, thereby providing both cover & food for wildlife. Grows in valleys and streamside from Alaska to California. Sun, moderate-regular water. Two alien species have become naturalized west of the Cascades; they can be recognized by their deeply (3-7) lobed leaves, while our native hawthorns have entire or only faintly lobed, toothed leaves.

Lewis and Clark collected Black Hawthorn along the Columbia River on April 29, 1806. The previous day the expedition crossed the Columbia River, assisted by the Walla Walla Indians, and headed to the mouth of the Walla Walla River. Clark wrote: "This morning early the Great Chief Yel lip pet brought a very eligant white horse to our Camp and presented him to me. . . . he insisted on our remaining with him this day at least. . . that he had Sent for the Chim-na-pums [Yakima Indians] his neighbours to caome down and join his people this evening and danace for us. . . a little before Sun Set the Chim nah poms arrived. . . and formed a half Circle arround our camp where they waited verry patiently to See our party dance. the fiddle was played and the men amused themselves with danceing babout an hour.we then requested the Indians to dance which they very Chearfully Complyed with; they Continued their dance untill 10 at night. . . about 350 men women and Children Sung and danced at the Same time."