The hawthorn is a small, deciduous tree, which occurs in the woods of Vale do Lourêdo. This tree, which can also be a shrub, has a very irregular crown, being generally rounded and dense. It can reach 18 meters of height, although it usually does not exceed 4 meters. Its trunk is smooth, being brownish-grey in color with vertical, orange cracks. Its branches have long thorns present in the axils of the leaves, and some thorns may develop into lateral branches with thorns at their tips. The leaves are dark green and shiny on the upper side, lighter on the underside, and have serrated lobes. Flowering occurs from March to June, producing white, or sometimes pink, clusters of fragrant flowers. Its fruits, called haws, can be seen from May to October and are fleshy, globular, and red or reddish-brown.

This species occurs all throughout Portugal, although less frequently in the southeast of the country. It is quite common, growing in hedges, thickets, and scrubland in a variety of habitats, usually at low altitudes, preferring wetter soils. It is a very resistant tree, thriving both in very high and very low temperatures.

Its leaves and fruits are important food sources for many species, and flowers are associated with the presence of various pollinator insects. Fruits are particularly important for several bird species during the colder months, when there is less food availability, and the birds later disperse the seeds through their droppings.

The fruits are edible and can be used to make jam and jelly. Historically, hawthorn petals and leaves were also used in cooking.

Other common names: mayblossom, maythorn, quickthorn, whitethorn and motherdie