This species and Crataegus stipulosa have usually have been regarded as distinct species, largely perhaps because the former was described from Mexico and the latter from Ecuador. It seems almost certain, however, that the tree was carried from Mexico to South America in early colonial days, as happened with Prunus Capuli[].

Common Name: Manzanilla

General Information

Crataegus mexicana is a very thorny deciduous tree, commonly 6 - 9 metres high, with a rounded crown and low thick bole[]. It is sometimes shrubby and can form dense thickets[].
The fruit is a rather important one in Guatemala, where large quantities are produced and consumed. During the season, (the autumn and early winter of the northern hemisphere), it is offered in large amounts in most of the markets, being transported to regions where it is not grown[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - Mexico south to Guatemala.

Habitat

Common in cultivation in the mountains of Guatemala; often wild in moist or rather dry, open forest, frequently in pine-oak forest or in thickets, chiefly at 1,500 - 2,700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Midges
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of moderate to higher elevations in the tropics, also succeeding in subtropical and warm temperate climates.
A very easily grown plant, it prefers a well-drained moisture retentive loamy soil but is not at all fussy[, ]. Once established, it succeeds in excessively moist soils and also tolerates drought[]. It grows well on a chalk soil and also in heavy clay soils[]. A position in full sun is best when plants are being grown for their fruit, they also succeed in semi-shade though fruit yields and quality will be lower in such a position[, ]. Most members of this genus succeed in exposed positions, they also tolerate atmospheric pollution[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[].
Seedling trees take from 5 - 8 years before they start bearing fruit, though grafted trees will often flower heavily in their third year[].
The flowers have a foetid smell somewhat like decaying fish. This attracts midges which are the main means of fertilization. When freshly open, the flowers have more pleasant scent with balsamic undertones[].
The trees often bear great quantities of fruits[]. A few fruits persist upon the trees as late as February, when the new blossoms unfold[].
Seedlings should not be left in a seedbed for more than 2 years without being transplanted[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. The yellow fruit can be up to 20mm in diameter, it is mealy and juicy with a slightly apple-like flavour[, ]. It is used in jellies, jams and preserves etc and can be dried for later use. The raw fruit is not very appetizing, although of moderately agreeable flavour; it is cooked in various ways but is used principally in preparing an intensely sweet preserve that is one of the commonest desserts of Guatemala[]. The syrup is employed for flavouring some of the popular aguas gaseosas, similar to soda pop[]. For stewing, the fruits are first boiled with wood ashes to remove the skin, then boiled in hot syrup with red colouring for a short time and hung on nails stuck into poles, much like candied apples[]. There are up to five fairly large seeds in the centre of the fruit, these often stick together and so the effect is of eating a cherry-like fruit with a single seed[].

Medicinal

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the fruits and flowers of many hawthorns are well-known in herbal folk medicine as a heart tonic and modern research has borne out this use. The fruits and flowers have a hypotensive effect as well as acting as a direct and mild heart tonic[]. They are especially indicated in the treatment of weak heart combined with high blood pressure[]. Prolonged use is necessary for it to be efficacious[]. It is normally used either as a tea or a tincture[].

Other Uses

The plant is sometimes used in Guatemala as a stock on which to graft pears and apples[].

Strung on cords, the rather handsome fruits are used as decorations for Christmas and other holidays[].

Wood - heavy, hard, tough, close-grained. Useful for making tool handles, mallets and other small items[].

Propagation

Seed - this is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, some of the seed will germinate in the spring, though most will probably take another year. Stored seed can be very slow and erratic to germinate, it should be warm stratified for 3 months at 15°c and then cold stratified for another 3 months at 4°c[]. It may still take another 18 months to germinate[]. Scarifying the seed before stratifying it might reduce this time[]. Fermenting the seed for a few days in its own pulp may also speed up the germination process[]. Another possibility is to harvest the seed 'green' (as soon as the embryo has fully developed but before the seedcoat hardens) and sow it immediately in a cold frame. If timed well, it can germinate in the spring[]. If you are only growing small quantities of plants, it is best to pot up the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in individual pots for their first year, planting them out in late spring into nursery beds or their final positions. When growing larger quantities, it might be best to sow them directly outdoors in a seedbed, but with protection from mice and other seed-eating creatures. Grow them on in the seedbed until large enough to plant out, but undercut the roots if they are to be left undisturbed for more than two years.

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