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English Hawthorn
Crataegus laevigata · Rosaceae
How it looks
English Hawthorn is a deciduous shrub or tree with thorny branches and small, deeply lobed toothed leaves arranged alternately. In spring, small white to pink flowers bloom in clusters, and in autumn small round red fruits appear. It stands 10–26 ft (3–8 m) tall.
English Hawthorn is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. An occasional nibble is unlikely to cause any real trouble.
Guide for parents
Even with a safe plant, make a habit of picking up fallen leaves the same day. If your cat likes to dig in or eat potting soil, fertilizer ingredients can upset their stomach — covering the soil with pebbles works well. If it comes home as a cut stem, florists often treat it with preservatives, so place the vase where your cat can't drink the water.
Details
- Scientific name
- Crataegus laevigata
- Common name
- English Hawthorn
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Source
- ASPCA
