Crataegus mexicana - Manzanilla

Crataegus mexicana, known as the Mexican Hawthorn or Manzanilla, is a fruit tree that is still relatively uncommon. A close cousin of the azarole (crataegus azarolus), it stands out for its vigour and hardiness down to -12°C, allowing it to adapt to many regions, including up to medium altitudes. Flowering occurs in April-May, followed by the formation of numerous fruits the size of a small apple, coloured yellow and red when ripe. They ripen around late August-September in lowland areas and around November-December at higher altitudes. The highly decorative fruits persist on the tree for several weeks. If not harvested, they will feed birds and wildlife. This small tree, reaching a height of 5 to 6 metres, can adapt to all types of soil, even dry, limestone, or rocky.

Crataegus mexicana is native to Central America, mainly the mountainous regions of Chiapas (Mexico) and Guatemala, where it grows spontaneously at altitudes between 1000 and 3000 metres. It belongs to the Rosaceae family, just like the wild rose and the plum tree. In Spanish-speaking countries, it is called Manzanilla, a name derived from Manzana, which means "small apple". In Mexico, where it is more widely spread, it is called Tejocote, which means "sour stone" or "stone plum". The fruits are an essential ingredient in Mexican punch served for Christmas and New Year. The bark is used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory difficulties. The wood is very hard and is useful for making tool handles. Thanks to its compatibility, this hawthorn is an excellent rootstock for apple, pear, and quince trees.

It forms a small tree with a fairly short trunk and dense branches that form a spreading and rounded crown. Eventually, after a few years, this hawthorn can reach a height of 6 to 7 metres with a spread of 4 to 5 metres, under optimal conditions. Its numerous flexible and sparsely thorny branches bear semi-evergreen foliage. The lanceolate, 4 to 8 cm long leaves have serrated edges and are dark green and shiny on the upper side, duller on the underside and capable of persisting on the tree during part of the winter. Flowering occurs in April, taking the form of clusters or corymbs of small, 2 cm diameter flowers, with 5 white petals. They emit an odour often considered unpleasant, similar to that of decomposing fish. Nevertheless, they are widely visited by bees and midges, which are their main pollinators. Depending on the region, the fruits ripen around late August-September. They are gathered in clusters and their size varies between 1.5 and 3 cm in diameter. They are round or oval in shape and resemble small apples, ranging in colour from yellow to reddish-orange when ripe. They are quite hard, hence they are sometimes called "stone plum", and contain 5 brown and also quite hard seeds. In mountainous areas, depending on the altitude, the fruits can ripen as late as November-December.

An adult Mexican Hawthorn can produce up to 20 kg of fruits per year. They are rich in vitamin C and iron and have a floury and juicy texture, with a sweet flavour reminiscent of apples. They can be eaten fresh, and in Mexico, the fruits are highly appreciated during the Christmas season. However, they are usually cooked and used in jellies and jams, sweetened with sugar, and can be dried or preserved. In Guatemala and Mexico, the fruits are used to make a syrup, which is used to flavour carbonated water.

The Manzanilla is a small, very robust and hardy tree that easily adapts to all types of soil, even dry, rocky, or limestone, but its growth and fruit yields will be highest in deeper and richer soil. It thrives in sunny exposures, and a balanced pruning in February is sufficient. With its moderate development, this shrub integrates well into any type of garden, whether as a specimen or in a border. It can be planted in a wildlife hedge, along with pyracanthas, ornamental apple trees, cotoneasters, wild pear trees, quince trees, or European spindle, for example. In this way, it will provide shelter and food for numerous insects, birds, and small mammals. It fits well in a fruit hedge, with other fruit trees such as pomegranates, Japanese loquat, almond trees, jujube trees, fig trees, olive trees, etc.