Crataegus pontica

Crataegus pontica is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It is a hawthorn found in Turkey (including East Thrace), the South Caucasus, possibly Palestine and Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Central Asia. It is planted as a windbreak, and its yellow to orange fruit are made into marmalade, or dried and ground to be added as a flavoring to baking flour.

Description

A tree. It grows 6-10 m tall. The crown is wide and half round. Young shoots have a covering but no spines. The older branches are dark grey. The leaf stalks are short. The leaves are bluish-green and have 5-7 lobes. They have a wedge shaped base. They are 5-7 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. Young leaves are hairy. The flowers are in compact groups or 6-14 flowers. The fruit are large. They can be 3 cm across. They are round of pear shaped. They are yellowish-green when young and become more orange. They fruit are juicy and acid sweet. There are 2-4 seeds in each fruit. Probably now Crataegus azarolus var. pontica (K. Koch) K.I. Chr.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It is a good size with abundant flesh and a pleasant taste. It is well suited to pies and preserves, and can also be dried for later use. Up to five fairly large seeds occupy the centre of the fruit, frequently sticking together so that it is eaten much like a cherry with a single stone.

Traditional Uses

The mature fruit are eaten fresh.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Though no specific research has been conducted on this species, the fruits and flowers of hawthorns are widely recognised in herbal folk medicine as a heart tonic — a use supported by modern research. Both parts exert a hypotensive effect and act as a gentle, direct cardiac tonic, making them particularly useful for weak heart combined with high blood pressure. Prolonged use is required for the treatment to be effective. It is typically prepared as a tea or tincture.

Distribution

Temperate. In Kazakhstan it grows on rocky and gravelly slopes. It is drought resistant. It grows up to 1,500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Europe, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mediterranean, Middle East, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye, Uzbekistan,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. It is a very ornamental and drought tolerant plant. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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. Hawthorn grows moderately fast, reaching maturity in about 5-10 years, depending on the species and growing conditions. Hawthorn berries are typically harvested in late Summer to early Autumn. Hawthorn flowers in Spring. Some species of Hawthorn are self-fertile, but cross-pollination often improves fruit set.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a cold frame. Some seed will germinate the following spring, though most will likely take a further year. Stored seed can be very slow and erratic; it should be warm stratified for 3 months at 15°c, then cold stratified for 3 months at 4°c, and may still take another 18 months to germinate. Scarifying before stratification may help, as may fermenting the seed in its own 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 possible spring germination. For small quantities, pot seedlings individually as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on for their first year before planting out in late spring. For larger quantities, sow directly in an outdoor seedbed with protection from mice and seed-eating animals, undercutting roots if plants will remain in the bed for more than two years.

Other Uses

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

Production

A fruit can be 3 cm across and weigh 1.6-4.8 g. Fruit yield varies annually due to drought but is regular with irrigation. A tree can yield 12-20 kg per year with a maximum yield of 80 kg.

Notes

There are 200 or more Crataegus species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Dulana, Guhujsipi

References (9)

• Country Report on the State of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in the Kazakhstan Republic. 2007, FAO
• Dzhangaliev, A. D., et al, 2003, The Wild Fruit and Nut Plants of Kazakhstan, Horticultural Reviews, Vol. 29. pp 305-371
• Ertug, F, Yenen Bitkiler. Resimli Türkiye Florası -I- Flora of Turkey - Ethnobotany supplement
• Gundogdu, M., et al, 2014, Organic acids, sugars, vitamin C and some pomological characteristics of eleven hawthorn species (Crataegus spp.) from Turkey. Biological Research 47:21
• Khojimatov, O. K. et al, 2015, Some wild growing plants in traditional foods of Uzbekistan. Journal of Ethnic Foods. 2 (2015) 25-28

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