Crataegus songarica
K.Koch
Rosaceae
The name of this species is often spelled Crataegus songorica in older literature.
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[
1212- Title
- New Trees
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
- Publisher
- Kew Publishing; London
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 1842461737
- Description
- Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
]. 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.
Crataegus darvasica Pojark.
Crataegus fischeri C.K.Schneid.
Crataegus oxyacantha incisa Regel
Crataegus pinnatifida songarica (K.Koch) Dippel
Mespilus oxyacantha intermixta Wenz.
Common Name:
General Information
Crataegus songarica is a deciduous shrub or a small tree that can grow up to 4.5 metres tall[
1259- Title
- Revision of Crataegus Sect. Crataegus and Nothosect. Crataeguineae (Rosaceae-Maloideae) in the Old World
- Publication
- Systematic Botany Monographs Vol 35 June 1992 pp 1-199
- Author
- Knud Ib Christensen
- Website
- http://www.jstor.org/stable/25027810
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It can be grown as an ornamental.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
Range
Asia - Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, western China (Xinjiang)
Habitat
River valleys and ravine slopes in the mid-mountain zone[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Valleys and thickets at elevations of 500 - 2000 metres in Tibet[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. Limestone and granite soils on mountain slopes, in woodlands and by rivers; at elevations from 800 - 2,700 metres[
1259- Title
- Revision of Crataegus Sect. Crataegus and Nothosect. Crataeguineae (Rosaceae-Maloideae) in the Old World
- Publication
- Systematic Botany Monographs Vol 35 June 1992 pp 1-199
- Author
- Knud Ib Christensen
- Website
- http://www.jstor.org/stable/25027810
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Properties
Edibility Rating | ![*](banana.png) ![*](banana.png) ![*](banana.png) |
Medicinal Rating | ![*](medi.png) ![*](medi.png) ![*](medi.png) |
Other Uses Rating | ![*](other.png) ![*](other.png) |
Habit | Deciduous Shrub |
Height | 4.50 m |
Pollinators | Midges |
Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Crataegus species are generally very easily cultivated plants, growing best in full sun to medium shade and preferring a well-drained but moisture retentive loamy soil, though they are not usually fussy[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. This species grows well on a chalk soil and also in heavy clay soils[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Once established, many species can tolerate a range of difficult conditions including drought; excessively moist soils; exposed, windy, maritime conditions; and atmospheric pollution[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Notes on the plants habitat above may give more ideas on this[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Trees growing in a sunny position generally produce more and better quality fruit than trees growing in the shade[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
A very ornamental plant with large fruits and beautiful foliage[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
], it fruits heavily and reliably in Britain[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Crataegus species often hybridize freely with other members of the genus[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. This statement is not fully accurate; at least in the wild most Crataegus species usually breed true and only occasionally hybridize - in addition, any hybrids are usually putative[
1257- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden Vol 92
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.mbgpress.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden; St. Louis, Missouri
- Year
- 2005
- ISBN
- 0026-6493
- Description
- A botanical journal, containing a range of articles
].
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[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Seedling trees take from 5 - 8 years before they start bearing fruit, though grafted trees will often flower heavily in their third year[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Seedlings should not be left in a seedbed for more than 2 years without being transplanted[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
].
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[
245- Title
- Scented Flora of the World.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Genders. R.
- Publisher
- Robert Hale. London.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
- 0-7090-5440-8
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
].
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw or cooked. Fleshy[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Small, mealy and juicy, they are quite nice raw[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. The fruit can be used in making pies, preserves, etc, and can also be dried for later use. The blackish-purple, subglobose to slightly pyriform fruit is 8 - 14mm long and 6 - 14mm in diameter[
1259- Title
- Revision of Crataegus Sect. Crataegus and Nothosect. Crataeguineae (Rosaceae-Maloideae) in the Old World
- Publication
- Systematic Botany Monographs Vol 35 June 1992 pp 1-199
- Author
- Knud Ib Christensen
- Website
- http://www.jstor.org/stable/25027810
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. There are usually 2 - 3 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[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Medicinal
The plant (part not specified, but probably the leaves, flowers and fruits) is used in the treatment of cardiovascular conditions such as congestive heart failure, coronary circulation problems, and arrhythmias. It is also used to increase cardiac output reduced by hypertension or pulmonary disease, as well as to treat hypotension, hypertension, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, and Buerger’s disease[
1262- Title
- Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Crataegus songarica Methanol Extract
- Publication
- Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology, 33(2):131-143 (2014)
- Author
- Showkat Ahmad Ganie; Tanveer Ali Dar et al
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
- 0731-8898
- Description
-
].
It is also used as a sedative, antispasmodic, astringent, and diuretic, as well as for gastrointestinal conditions such as indigestion, enteritis, epigastric distension, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. It relaxes the uterus and intestine smooth vessel; however, it constricts the bronchi and coronary vessels[
1262- Title
- Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Crataegus songarica Methanol Extract
- Publication
- Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology, 33(2):131-143 (2014)
- Author
- Showkat Ahmad Ganie; Tanveer Ali Dar et al
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
- 0731-8898
- Description
-
].
The barriers (is this the bark?) of the plant possess antihypertensive and cardiotonic potential[
1262- Title
- Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Crataegus songarica Methanol Extract
- Publication
- Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology, 33(2):131-143 (2014)
- Author
- Showkat Ahmad Ganie; Tanveer Ali Dar et al
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
- 0731-8898
- Description
-
].
The fruit may also be effective orally in the treatment of tapeworm infections, acute bacillary dysentery, and amenorrhea[
1262- Title
- Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Crataegus songarica Methanol Extract
- Publication
- Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology, 33(2):131-143 (2014)
- Author
- Showkat Ahmad Ganie; Tanveer Ali Dar et al
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
- 0731-8898
- Description
-
]. They are also used as a popular remedy for diarrhoea or slight phlegmasia[
1262- Title
- Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Crataegus songarica Methanol Extract
- Publication
- Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology, 33(2):131-143 (2014)
- Author
- Showkat Ahmad Ganie; Tanveer Ali Dar et al
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
- 0731-8898
- Description
-
]
Fruit liquid preparations are used as washes for treating sores, itching, and frostbite[
1262- Title
- Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Crataegus songarica Methanol Extract
- Publication
- Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology, 33(2):131-143 (2014)
- Author
- Showkat Ahmad Ganie; Tanveer Ali Dar et al
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
- 0731-8898
- Description
-
].
The fruits and flowers of many hawthorn species 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[
222- Title
- A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-395-46722-5
- Description
- A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
]. They are especially indicated in the treatment of weak heart combined with high blood pressure[
222- Title
- A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-395-46722-5
- Description
- A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
]. Prolonged use is necessary for it to be efficacious[
222- Title
- A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-395-46722-5
- Description
- A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
]. It is normally used either as a tea or a tincture[
222- Title
- A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-395-46722-5
- Description
- A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
].
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[
82- Title
- Manual of the Trees of N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sargent. C. S.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Dover Publications Inc. New York.
- Year
- 1965
- ISBN
- 0-486-20278-X
- Description
- Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet.
,
1258- Title
- Hawthorns and Medlars
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phipps J.B.; O'Kennon R.J. & Lance R.W.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 0-88192-591-8
- Description
- An excellent guide to some of the better known Crataegus species, plus quite a few less well-known. It also contains some information on the Medlar.
].
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[
164- Title
- Growing from Seed. Volume 4.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bird. R. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
]. It may still take another 18 months to germinate[
78- Title
- Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sheat. W. G.
- Publisher
- MacMillan and Co
- Year
- 1948
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
]. Scarifying the seed before stratifying it might reduce this time[
80- Title
- Hardy Woody Plants from Seed.
- Publication
-
- Author
- McMillan-Browse. P.
- Publisher
- Grower Books
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 0-901361-21-6
- Description
- Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.
]. Fermenting the seed for a few days in its own pulp may also speed up the germination process[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. 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[
80- Title
- Hardy Woody Plants from Seed.
- Publication
-
- Author
- McMillan-Browse. P.
- Publisher
- Grower Books
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 0-901361-21-6
- Description
- Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.
]. 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.