Mayhaw is the name given to the fruit of the species of Crataegus series Aestivales that are common in wetlands 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 may-haw. The fruit is also found in surrounding lakes, such as Caddo Lake on the Texas/Louisiana border. Mayhaws are often collected out of the water from boats, and the fruit is used to make. Families would 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 increasingly the source of the jelly.
A wand for those full of conflict, be it due to being at odds with themselves naturally, or due to past circumstances, wands of Mayhaw wood are excellent for both healing and harming; as contradictory as their wix. With an aware core, such as Rougarou Hair, such a wand is an excellent helpmate even to those new to magic, while more common varieties of Hawthorn require either experience or a steady demeanor to be able to handle without backfiring. One famous wand made from Swamp Mayhaw belonged to former MACUSA President and Savannah, Georgia native Seraphina Picquery. Violetta Beauvais, the most influential wandmaker in the New Orleans style wand-making, specialized in wands made from swamp mayhaw and she made excellent and delicious jam with its berries. Her own recipe, of course.