Crataegus columbiana

Howell

Columbia Hawthorn, Red hawthorn

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit 8,150 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

The name Crataegus columbiana is a source of considerable confusion. The species named by Thomas J. Howell is now considered to be the same as C. douglasii, named earlier, and the earlier name should be used instead. However, some varieties of C. columbiana have also been named that are not related to C. douglasii. C. columbiana has been used by some authors for Crataegus piperi Britton, which is now known as C. chrysocarpa var. piperi. For C. columbiana var. chrysocarpa (Ashe) Dorn see C. chrysocarpa Ashe. For C. columbiana var. piperi (Britton) Eggl. see C. chrysocarpa var. piperi (Britton) Kruschke. For C. columbiana var. occidentalis (Britton) Dorn see C. succulenta Schrad. ex. Link (including C. macracantha var. occidentalis (Britton) Eggl.).

Description

A shrub or very small tree. It can grow to 6 m tall. The leaves are 3-7 cm long. They have distinct lobes. There are teeth around the edge which have glands at the tip. Leaves are hairy on both surfaces. The thorns are stout and 4-6 cm long. The fruit are round and 8-11 mm across. They are dark red.

Edible Uses

The fruit is up to 11mm in diameter, borne in small clusters, and has a very pleasant flavour — slightly mealy but juicy enough to eat in quantity as a dessert fruit. It can also be used in pies, preserves, and dried for later use. Up to five fairly large seeds in the centre of each fruit often stick together, giving the effect of eating a cherry-like fruit with a single stone.

Medicinal Uses

No species-specific research has been recorded, but hawthorn fruits and flowers are broadly recognised in herbal folk medicine as a heart tonic, a use confirmed by modern research. They have a hypotensive effect and act as a mild, direct cardiac tonic, particularly for treating a weak heart combined with high blood pressure. Prolonged use is needed for best results, and the remedy is typically taken as a tea or tincture.

Distribution

Temperate. It grows on dry sites.

Where It Grows

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (British Columbia (south)), United States (Idaho, Montana (west), Oregon (northeast), Washington)

Cultivation

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. Seedlings should not be left in a seedbed for more than 2 years without being transplanted. This species is closely related to C. douglasii.

Propagation

Sow seed fresh in a cold frame in autumn; some will germinate the following spring, though most will require a further year. Stored seed is slow and erratic — warm stratify for 3 months at 15°C, then cold stratify for 3 months at 4°C, and germination may still take another 18 months. Scarification before stratification can help, as can fermenting the seed in its pulp for a few days. Alternatively, harvest seed green once the embryo is fully developed but before the seedcoat hardens, and sow immediately in a cold frame for potential spring germination. Pot seedlings individually when large enough to handle and grow on through their first year before planting out in late spring. For larger quantities, sow into a protected outdoor seedbed and undercut roots if plants are to be left undisturbed for more than two years.

Other Uses

The wood is heavy, hard, tough, and close-grained, making it suitable for tool handles, mallets, and other small items. The plant is also noted for its scent.

References (5)

Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
Farrar, J.L., 1995, Trees of the Northern United States and Canada. Iowa State University press/Ames p 390
MacKinnon, A., et al, 2009, Edible & Medicinal Plants of Canada. Lone Pine. p 80
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Turner, N., 1997, Food Plants of Interior First Peoples. Royal BC Museum Handbook p 142