Pyracantha crenulata

(D.Don) M. Roem.

Nepal Firethorn, Nepalese white thorn

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit, Leaves - tea 1,841 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Pyracantha crenulata, the Nepalese firethorn, Nepal firethorn or Himalayan firethorn, is a species of firethorn. The native range of this shrub species stretches from northern Pakistan to northwestern India and China.

Description

An evergreen shrub. It grows to about 3 m high. It has spines. The leaves have stalks. They are crowded on short side branches. The leaves are 1.5-5.5 cm long by 0.8-1.8 cm wide. They are oblong or oval. They narrow towards the base. They are rounded teeth. The flowers are on stalks. The flower petals are white. The fruit is round and red. They are 6 mm across.

Edible Uses

The leaves can be brewed as a tea-like beverage. The ripe fruit is sugar-rich and eaten fresh; each fruit measures 6–8mm in diameter.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. The leaves are used for tea.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The fruit is dried, powdered, and combined with yoghurt to treat bloody dysentery.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1000-2500 m altitude. In grows on open hillsides among other shrubs. In Vietnam it grows at 1,600 m above sea level. In Garhwal Himalayas in India. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Tibet, Vietnam, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed.

Propagation

Sow seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, removing all fruit flesh first as it can inhibit germination. Stored seed needs 3 months of cold stratification; sow as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough and grow on in the cold frame through their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of almost mature wood, 5–10cm with a heel, can be taken in mid-August and rooted in a cold frame, then potted up in October or the following spring.

Other Uses

This plant makes an excellent hedge. Its wood is hard, very close and even-grained, and is used for making walking sticks.

Other Information

The fruit are eaten in large quantities.

Notes

There are 7 Pyracantha species.

Synonyms

Cratægus crenulata Roxb.Mespilus crenulatus D.Don

Also Known As

Broad-leaf firethorn, Chaido, Chinese firethorn, Cha-kou-tzu, Choota seb, Duri api cina, Duri api merah, Ghangaru, Ghangyar, Ghingaru, Himalayan firethorn, Kaatha gedi, Small round serrate firethorn, Xiyuanchi Huoji

References (26)

Agarwal, R. & Chandra, V., 2019, Diversity of wild edible plants in the Mandal-Chopta forest, Uttarakhand. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2019; 7(1): 89-92 (As Crataegus crenulata)
Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 506
Aryal, K. P., et al, 2018, Diversity and use of wild and non-cultivated edible plants in the Western Himalaya. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2018) 14:10
Bajracharya, D., 1980, Nutritive Values of Nepalese Edible Wild Fruits. Z. Lebensm. Unters. Forsch. 171: 363-366
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 857

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