Membrillo, Mexican serviceberry
Malacomeles denticulata

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1 m tall. The flowers are white. The fruit are pink or red. They are round. They are 8 mm long by 6.5 mm wide. The flesh is white. There are one or two seeds.

There are 5 Malacomeles species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 1,500-1,750 m above sea level. It can tolerate frost and drought and also poor drainage.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh and also made into jelly.

Fruit are sold at local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Shrubs can produce fruit abundantly after 5 years.

Its other names

Local names

Tinaguis, Tlaxistle, Yagalan

Synonyms

Amelanchier denticulata (Kunth) K. Koch; Amelanchier denticulata var. nervosa C. K. Schneid.; Amelanchier denticulata var. psilantha C. K. Schneid.; Amelanchier nervosa (Decne) Standl.; Amelanchier paniculata Rehdner; Amelanchier pringlei Koehne; Cotoneaster denticulata var. latifolia Hemsl.; Cotoneaster denticulatus Kunth; Crataegus inermis Sesse & Moc.; Crataegus minor Sesse & Moc.; Malacomeles denticulata (Kunth) G. N. Jones; Malacomeles nervosa Decne.; Mespilus denticulata (Kunth) Spreng.; Nagelia denticulata (Kunth) Lindl.; Nagelia denticulata var. nervosa (C. K. Schneid.) C. K. Schneid.; Nagelia denticulata var. psilantha (C. K. Schneid.) C. K. Schneid.; Nagelia pringlei (Koehne) C. K. Schneid.;