The Official Missouri State Flower

Common hawthorn

The Common hawthorn (Crataegus mollis) is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to the eastern United States and widely cultivated in parks and gardens. It is known for its white spring flowers, red berries, and its dense, thorny branches. The Common hawthorn was officially adopted as the Missouri state flower in 1923. This happened after a prolonged campaign by schoolchildren, who chose the flower due to its abundance in the state and its long-standing association with the Missouri landscape. The Common hawthorn is a symbol of peace, hope, and protection and has been used as a protective boundary to keep out unwanted visitors. The red berries are a favored food of many birds, including robins, cardinals, and cedar waxwings. The flowers also provide an important source of nectar for bees and other pollinators. The Common hawthorn is a hardy, resilient plant that can thrive in a variety of soil and climate conditions. It can live for up to 200 years and is a stunning addition to any garden.

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