Mayhaw
Encyclopedia
Mayhaw is the name given to the fruit
of the species of Crataegus series Aestivales that are common in wetland
s throughout the southern United States. The principal species are C. aestivalis, the eastern Mayhaw, and C. opaca, the western mayhaw.
Mayhaws grow in moist soil in river and creek bottoms under hardwood trees.
The fruit ripens in late April through May, thus the name mayhaw. The fruit is also found in bayou
s surrounding lakes, such as Caddo Lake
on the Texas
/Louisiana
border. Mayhaws are often collected out of the water from boats to be used to make jelly
.
Families used to go on outings to collect mayhaws and create stockpiles of the jelly to last throughout the year, but the tradition has declined with the increasing urbanization of the South and the destruction of the mayhaw's native habitat. The fruit has also been cultivated to grow outside of wetlands and this is increasing the source of the jelly.
. For example, Colquitt, Georgia
holds a Mayhaw festival in April. Daisetta, Texas
; El Dorado, Arkansas
; Marion, Louisiana
and Starks, Louisiana
all celebrate a mayhaw festival each May.
"May-Haw" is also the name of a local variety show in Colquitt, Georgia that was developed by local theater group Swamp Gravy
. May-haw is performed twice a year, in April and January, the April performance to coincide with the Mayhaw festival.
Fruit
In broad terms, a fruit is a structure of a plant that contains its seeds.The term has different meanings dependent on context. In non-technical usage, such as food preparation, fruit normally means the fleshy seed-associated structures of certain plants that are sweet and edible in the raw state,...
of the species of Crataegus series Aestivales that are common in wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
s throughout the southern United States. The principal species are C. aestivalis, the eastern Mayhaw, and C. opaca, the western mayhaw.
Mayhaws grow in moist soil in river and creek bottoms under hardwood trees.
The fruit ripens in late April through May, thus the name mayhaw. The fruit is also found in bayou
Bayou
A bayou is an American term for a body of water typically found in flat, low-lying areas, and can refer either to an extremely slow-moving stream or river , or to a marshy lake or wetland. The name "bayou" can also refer to creeks that see level changes due to tides and hold brackish water which...
s surrounding lakes, such as Caddo Lake
Caddo Lake
Caddo Lake is a lake and wetland located on the border between Texas and Louisiana, in northern Harrison County and southern Marion County in Texas and western Caddo Parish in Louisiana. The lake is named after the Southeastern culture of Native Americans called Caddoans or Caddo, who lived in...
on the Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
/Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
border. Mayhaws are often collected out of the water from boats to be used to make jelly
Fruit preserves
Fruit preserves are preparations of fruits and sugar, often canned or sealed for long-term storage. The preparation of fruit preserves today often involves adding commercial or natural pectin as a gelling agent, although sugar or honey may be used, as well. Prior to World War II, fruit preserve...
.
Families used to go on outings to collect mayhaws and create stockpiles of the jelly to last throughout the year, but the tradition has declined with the increasing urbanization of the South and the destruction of the mayhaw's native habitat. The fruit has also been cultivated to grow outside of wetlands and this is increasing the source of the jelly.
In culture
Many communities associate themselves with the fruit because of its reputation as a celebrated delicacy of Southern U.S. cuisineCuisine of the Southern United States
The cuisine of the Southern United States is defined as the historical regional culinary form of states generally south of the Mason Dixon Line dividing Pennsylvania from Maryland and Delaware as well as along the Ohio River, and extending west to Southern Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.The most...
. For example, Colquitt, Georgia
Colquitt, Georgia
Colquitt is a city in Miller County, in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 1,939 at the 2000 census. Colquitt is the county seat of Miller County, a role it has held since just after Miller County was created by the Georgia Legislature in 1856...
holds a Mayhaw festival in April. Daisetta, Texas
Daisetta, Texas
Daisetta is a city in Liberty County, Texas, United States, North America. The population was 1,034 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Daisetta is located at ....
; El Dorado, Arkansas
El Dorado, Arkansas
El Dorado , a multi-cultural arts center: South Arkansas Arts Center , an award-winning renovated downtown, and numerous sporting, shopping, and dining opportunities. El Dorado is the population, cultural, and business center of the 7,300 mi² regional area...
; Marion, Louisiana
Marion, Louisiana
Marion is a town in Union Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 806 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Marion is located at ....
and Starks, Louisiana
Starks, Louisiana
Starks is an unincorporated area in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States located approximately north west of Lake Charles about from the Texas/Louisiana border. Starks is well known for its annual to celebrate the fruit that grows in the bayous along the Texas/Louisiana border....
all celebrate a mayhaw festival each May.
"May-Haw" is also the name of a local variety show in Colquitt, Georgia that was developed by local theater group Swamp Gravy
Swamp Gravy
Swamp Gravy is Georgia's official folk-life play, but more than that is a community project that has contributed to emotional and economic healing in its community, Colquitt, Georgia....
. May-haw is performed twice a year, in April and January, the April performance to coincide with the Mayhaw festival.