Hawthorn and Blackthorn have similar thorny stems and white flowers. Hawthorn flowers in May and June when in leaf, Blackthorn in April and May before the leaves emerge. Note that leaves are deeply lobed.

Main photo: branch with ripening haws
Insert: haw cut open to show the mealy flesh and single large seed. Some hawthorrn species have more than one seed.

Fully ripe, dark red haws. The fruit develops in clusters on the end of bramches and branchlets and is available from September to November.