series "molles" is a series within the genus "crataegus" that contains at least six species of hawthorn trees and shrubs, native to eastern north america. some of the species are cultivated as ornamental plants. they have relatively large leaves, large flowers, and bloom early for hawthorns. the plant parts are usually hairy, particularly in early growth, and the fruit are generally red (sometimes yellow) and are large for hawthorn fruit (up to 2.5 cm diameter in some species).