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Native Plant Society of Texas

Parsley Hawthorn

Crataegus marshallii

Other common name(s):

Parsleyleaf Hawthorn

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

10
to
25
ft.

Spread

12
to
15
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Poor Drainage, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Berry, Fall Color, Forage, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Deer, Bees

Maintenance

Drought tolerant. Compact form ideal for smaller landscapes. Makes a nice specimen or hedge. Provides good erosion control. Tolerates occasional dry to wet soil. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms March-May. A shrub or small tree with spreading habit, slender, thorny branches, and broad, open crown. The grey bark is smooth when young, but develops a shaggy appearance with age. Leaves look like parsley, turning colorful in the fall. Dainty white 5-petaled blooms with red stamens, followed by red berries (called haws) in the fall.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Stratification Stratify the seeds by placing them in a sealed plastic bag with moist sand or vermiculite and refrigerating for at least 3 months to break seed dormancy. In spring, sow the stratified seeds in a well-draining seed starting mix, just barely covering them with soil. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and place the container in a warm, bright spot. Germination can be slow and erratic, so be patient. It might take several weeks to a few months. Collect berries from a hawthorn tree in the fall, and extract the seeds. Clean off the flesh and dry the seeds. https://www.gardenia.net/guide/hawthorn-how-to-grow-and-care-with-success
Hardwood Cutting Dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage root development. Plant the cuttings in pots with well-draining soil, leaving at least one node above the soil surface. Place the pot in a sheltered location outdoors or inside a cold frame. The cuttings will root over winter and start growing in spring. In late fall or early winter, take hardwood cuttings of about 6-10 inches long from healthy, disease-free branches. Make sure each cutting has at least two or three nodes. 1) https://www.gardenia.net/guide/hawthorn-how-to-grow-and-care-with-success 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Crataegus_marshallii.html
Cutting Grafting This process involves attaching a scion (cutting) from a desired hawthorn tree to the rootstock of a hardy hawthorn species. Grafting is typically done in late winter or early spring and require some skill. https://www.gardenia.net/guide/hawthorn-how-to-grow-and-care-with-success

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason