Crossword Genius

Fruit, often with a thorn on (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

haw

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'fruit' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'often with a thorn on' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'with' could be 'w' (abbreviation) and 'w' is found within the answer.
'a' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'h' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for haw that I've seen before include "Fruit of common thorn tree (3)" , "Fruit of the may tree" , "Fruit of the hawthorn" , "Hedgerow fruit" , "Berry of a thorny shrub" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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