The position of this taxon is uncertain. It is generally accepted that it does not stand as a distinct species, though it is sometimes treated as a hybrid species involving Crataegus pedicellata (now treated as part of Crataegus coccinea) and an uncertain species of the Molles series (probably Crataegus mollis or Crataegus submollis). The Flora of N. America treats it as a synonym of Crataegus coccinea L., though then says that according to J. A. Macklin and J. B. Phipps (2002), much of the material named Crataegus ellwangeriana [syn. Crataegus pedicellata var. ellwangeriana (Sarg.) Eggl.] belongs to Crataegus pennsylvanica Ashe.
The taxonomy of Crataegus species has historically been very confused, with over 1,200 different species recognized by some authors in the past. This number has been gradually and very significantly reduced, especially since the publication of several regional studies carried out since the late 1980’s, and current thinking is that the final number could be below 150 distinct species[]. Many of the genera that were included in this database prior to 2017 will now be treated as synonyms or subspecies, and it is likely that a number of other currently accepted species will also receive that fate once a complete revision of the genus (underway in 2015) has been published.

Common Name:

General Information

Crataegus ellwangeriana is generally no longer accepted as a distinct species - see notes above on taxonomy.
The plant grown in Britain and long known under the name of Crataegus ellwangeriana is an excellent ornamental and fruit-producing plant that is still (2017) often grown and available in nurseries in Britain under the name of Crataegus ellwangeriana.
This is a very useful, highly productive and very tasty fruit and, since it has in the past been considered worthy of specific status, it should at least merit treatment as a cultivar. Certainly, not all forms of Crataegus coccinea (its generally accepted new name) produce good quality fruit and so giving this form a varietal name would at least ensure that people who want to grow it for its fruit can be sure of getting the correct plant.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Eastern N. America

Habitat

Not known in the wild, it is possibly of hybrid origin.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Midges
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Many Crataegus species are very variable with regard to fruit size and quality. Seedlings, even if obtained from a good fruiting form, can often be disappointing - though they can also be an improvement on the original form. The most reliable way of obtaining a good fruiting form is by grafting from a known good tree, or obtaining a named cultivar from a reliable source[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Juicy and acid[]. An excellent dessert fruit, it has an acid yet sweet flavour, is juicy but with a mealy texture, it makes very pleasant eating[]. The fruit can also be used in making pies, preserves etc, and can be dried for later use. A reasonable size, it is about 15mm in diameter[]. A specimen at Kew has fruits up to 25mm in diameter[]. There are up to five fairly large seeds in the centre of the fruit, these often stick together and so the effect is of eating a cherry-like fruit with a single seed[].

Medicinal

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the fruits and flowers of many hawthorns are well-known in herbal folk medicine as a heart tonic and modern research has borne out this use. The fruits and flowers have a hypotensive effect as well as acting as a direct and mild heart tonic[]. They are especially indicated in the treatment of weak heart combined with high blood pressure[]. Prolonged use is necessary for it to be efficacious[]. It is normally used either as a tea or a tincture[].

Other Uses

The wood of Crataegus species is generally of good quality, though it is often of too small a size to be of much value. It usually has a red-brown heartwood with a thick band of lighter-coloured, usually pale sapwood. The wood is heavy, extremely hard, tough and close-grained. Where wood of suficient diameter is found it is often greatly prized for use in turnery, and has traditionally been used for purposes such as making tool handles, mallets and other small items[, ].

Propagation

Seed - this is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, some of the seed will germinate in the spring, though most will probably take another year. Stored seed can be very slow and erratic to germinate, it should be warm stratified for 3 months at 15°c and then cold stratified for another 3 months at 4°c[]. It may still take another 18 months to germinate[]. Scarifying the seed before stratifying it might reduce this time[]. Fermenting the seed for a few days in its own pulp may also speed up the germination process[]. Another possibility is to harvest the seed 'green' (as soon as the embryo has fully developed but before the seedcoat hardens) and sow it immediately in a cold frame. If timed well, it can germinate in the spring[]. If you are only growing small quantities of plants, it is best to pot up the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in individual pots for their first year, planting them out in late spring into nursery beds or their final positions. When growing larger quantities, it might be best to sow them directly outdoors in a seedbed, but with protection from mice and other seed-eating creatures. Grow them on in the seedbed until large enough to plant out, but undercut the roots if they are to be left undisturbed for more than two years.