Cockspur Hawthorn Leaves are short-petioled, not lobed, and obovate, or spatulate, in outline. Leaf tips are usually rounded with finely toothed margins. Leaves are usually somewhat clustered at the end of the twigs and borne erect. The leathery foliage is among the most attractive of all hawthorns. Fall color can be gold to scarlet, but is often not showy.
Thorns are numerous, falcate, and borne on rigid twigs.
The points of the thorns point downward. Twigs are reddish-brown when young, becoming gray with age. Flowers are white and borne in May to June. Fruit is a dull red with thin, dry flesh. The dense branching attracts nesting birds all year and provides shelter, nesting, and food.