A very hardy exotic thorn, with attractive autumn foliage and haws that persist throughout the winter. Introduced 1691.

Native to north-east North America. Gardens and parks, occasionally naturalised in Britain and north-west Europe.

Monoecious. Insect-pollinated. Bird-distributed.

Small (8m), spreading, with a flattish top. Bark grey-brown, finely scaled. Twigs glabrous and shiny, with long (4-7cm), rigid, very sharp thorns. Foliage turns brilliant orange in autumn. Leaves 8cm, glabrous and glossy, obovate, tapering at the base, serrate but smooth-margined near the base. Flowers white in corymbs, profuse in late spring, with 10 stamens and pink anthers. Fruit deep-red haws (15mm) persisting long after leaf-fall.

Ornamental.