Dzhungarskei hawthorn
Crataegus songarica
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
A large shrub or small tree. It has many trunks. These are 5-9 cm across. The bark is reddish-grey. It splits and peels off in thin strips. The leaves are widely oval and slightly hairy. There are 5-9 unequal lobes. The base is wedge shaped. There are 28-35 flowers in a group. The flowers are 1.8 cm across. They have densely hairy stalks. The fruit are widely oval. They are 1.3 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are dark red with orange, sweet flesh. They are edible. Each fruit has 2-3 seeds.
There are 200 or more Crataegus species. It is also used in medicine. The fruit are rich in ascorbic acid 31-108 mg/100 g and Vit A 380-680 mg / 100 g fruit.
Where it is found
Temperate. In Kazakhstan it grows on rocky slopes in the middle mountain regions. In western China it grows between 500-2,000 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Asia, Central Asia, China, Himalayas, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Middle East, Pakistan, Tajikistan
How it is used for food
They are used for drinks.
The fruit are especially eaten by children.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. The seed need cold treatment. Plants can also be grafted.
In western China plants flower in May and fruit in July.
Its other names
Local names
Chochina, Cocina, Pingyath