December 10, 2015
Missouri State Flower - The White Hawthorn Blossom
Botanical Name
Crataegus punctata
Year Adopted
1923
Peak Bloom
May
History
In Celtic lore, the Hawthorn plant was said to heal the broken heart.
Fun Fact
Hawthorn trees generally bear small red fruits, called haws, and have thorny branches – hence their name.
The state flower of Missouri is the attractive bloom of the flowering Hawthorn. The small tree grows well in Missouri’s climate, lining streets and yards across the state. Hundreds of species of Hawthorn exist. State lawmakers did not single out a specific Hawthorn when naming it as the Missouri state flower, providing residents with no guidance about which plant’s bloom to call their own.
Each spring, Hawthorn trees produce the Missouri state flower. These pretty white blossoms are made up of five petals, bear greenish-yellow stamens, and appear in globe-like clusters over the Hawthorn tree. Their numbers help to attract the pollinators needed to produce its valuable fruit. Hawthorn fruit resembles an apple yet is less than an inch across. It is a favorite source of nutrition for wildlife and can be used to make jams and jellies. Hawthorn fruits are also used in some herbal medicines.
In addition to its fruit, the tree on which the Missouri state flower grows is valued by wildlife for its ability to provide shelter. It grows quite thick and can reach heights of up to 25 feet. Such dense proportions make it an ideal home for numerous birds and mammals.
Growing Information
Soil
Damp
Sun
Full Sun/Partial Shade
Zones
3 - 9