Columbian hawthorn, Kansas hawthorn, Mississippi hawthorn
Crataegus coccinioides

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 6 m high. The trunk is 20 cm across. The crown is broad and round. It is dense with spreading branches. The leaves are 6-7.5 cm long and 5-6 cm wide. They are oval with a short-pointed tip. There are several shallow lobes and double teeth along the edge. They are reddish when young and become dark green above and paler underneath. They become orange or red in autumn. The flowers are large. They are 2-2.5 cm wide with 5 white petals. They occur as 4-7 flowers in clusters. The fruit are large and dark red. They are 19 mm across and round but flattened at the ends. They are shiny dark red with pale dots. There are 5 seeds inside.

There are 200 or more Crataegus species.

Where it is found

Temperate. It will grow in most soils. It is resistant to drought and frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, North America (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The seed need cold treatment. Plants can also be grafted.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Crataegus acutiloba; Crataegus speciosa;