Menand’s Hawthorn: A Ghost of New York’s Past
If you’ve stumbled across the name Menand’s hawthorn (Crataegus menandiana) in your native plant research, you’ve discovered one of botany’s most elusive characters. This isn’t your typical here’s how to grow it plant profile – because frankly, you probably can’t grow it, and there’s a heartbreaking reason why.
A Plant on the Edge of Memory
Menand’s hawthorn holds the somber distinction of having a Global Conservation Status of SH, which stands for Possibly Extirpated. In plain English, this means the plant is known only from historical records, with botanists holding onto just a glimmer of hope that it might still be hiding somewhere in the wild, waiting to be rediscovered.
Where It Once Called Home
This native shrub was historically found in New York state, where it grew as a perennial, multi-stemmed woody plant. Like other hawthorns, it likely reached heights of 13 to 16 feet under ideal conditions, with several stems arising from or near the ground.
The Reality of Rarity
Here’s where things get tricky for gardeners interested in native plants. While Menand’s hawthorn is undoubtedly a legitimate native species deserving of conservation attention, its extreme rarity means it’s essentially unavailable for home cultivation. The few specimens that might exist (if any) are far too precious to be used for landscaping purposes.
What This Means for Your Garden
If you’re drawn to native hawthorns for your landscape, you’ll need to look to other species that are more readily available and not teetering on the brink of extinction. The hawthorn family offers several wonderful alternatives that can provide:
- Beautiful spring flowers
- Attractive fall berries for wildlife
- Excellent structure for native gardens
- Support for native pollinators and birds
A Conservation Perspective
The story of Menand’s hawthorn serves as a sobering reminder of what we can lose when native habitats disappear. While we can’t offer growing tips for this particular species, we can honor its memory by:
- Supporting native plant conservation efforts
- Choosing readily available native alternatives
- Protecting existing native habitats
- Reporting any suspected sightings to botanical authorities
The Bottom Line
Menand’s hawthorn represents both the beauty and fragility of our native plant heritage. While you won’t find this species at your local native plant sale, its story can inspire us to cherish and protect the native plants that are still thriving around us. Sometimes the most important plants are the ones we can’t grow – they remind us why the ones we can grow matter so much.
If you’re interested in supporting hawthorn conservation or native plant research in New York, consider connecting with local botanical gardens, native plant societies, or conservation organizations. Who knows? Maybe someday a dedicated botanist will rediscover this lost treasure hiding in an overlooked corner of the Empire State.
